Time to Prep for Your Military Brat’s Freshman Year of College

The military lifestyle definitely builds resilience in children. As they grow up and become young adults preparing to head off to college, this can be an emotional time for parents. Your graduate is now responsible for themselves, and we can only hope we have prepared them as best that we can. For those young adults headed off to school, there are many things you’ll need to plan for and early preparation can ease the burden, especially for those large financial purchases.

There are many things you can do as a parent to prepare your teen for “The Real World”. Now, this takes patience, especially since kids think they have all the answers. Try to focus on ensuring your child can apply basic life skills, time and financial management, problem solving, and self care. 

Here are some helpful tips:

• Basic Life Skills: Driving, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, using basic tools, and looking for a job.
• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, studying, completing assignments on time, and using a planner.
• Financial Management: Managing a checking account/debit card, building savings/emergency fund, and budgeting.
• Problem Solving: Identifying the problem, using critical thinking skills, and developing solutions.
• Self-Care: Take breaks when stressed, disconnect from social media, take care of your physical health, and choose your friend groups wisely.

If your child will remain at home while attending college, you’ll have more time to focus on development. However, those who are getting your child ready to leave the nest will have limited time to prep before dropping them off on campus. I highly recommend starting to purchase the dorm essentials early as the costs can add up quickly. Below is a basic list of things your child could need for the dormitory.

Dorm Essentials:

• Personal/Health Items: Toiletries, towels, pillows and blankets, shower tote, shower shoes, and medications/prescriptions.
• Laundry Supplies: Detergent, fabric softener, laundry basket, and hangers.
• Room Essentials: Food storage containers, bedding, plates, utensils, alarm clock, and wall hooks. 
• Supplies: Calendar, laptop, pens/pencils, highlighters, paper, backpack, folders, and binders.
• Appliances: Coffee maker, small fan/heater, TV, and lamp.

It’s crazy how fast eighteen years seem to fly by, but early preparation will ease some stress for you as a parent and your future student. Be sure to maximize your savings by stocking up on essentials at your local Exchange and Commissary. Enjoy your time together before they head off to college and make as many great memories as you can.

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