Transitioning from High School to College

Getting to Know SUU's Campus

How to pack for college

It can be tempting to pack up EVERYTHING you own, but it is not necessary and your student will be surprised at how much they didn’t need to bring. A good place to start is finding out the dimensions of their living space. How big is the closet? Will there be a dresser or will they have enough room to bring their own? Do they need to bring their own furniture & appliances? These questions lead to the next best thing to do: Communicate with roommates. Who is bringing what? How do they plan to share the bathroom, kitchen, & living room space? Will they share cleaning supplies or does your student need to buy their own? 

When it comes to personal items, encourage your student to make a list of things they absolutely NEED to take with them (clothes, shoes, bedding, bathroom supplies, etc.) If your student will be able to travel home for breaks encourage them to pack their wardrobe for the specific season they will start school. Then when they travel home as the weather changes they can swap out their clothes. This will help them have enough space in their closet.

Things to do:

• Find out the dimensions of their room & other living spaces
• What is included in their room/apartment
• What appliances/furniture do they need to bring
• Encourage your student to COMMUNICATE with their roommates. Find out who is bringing what, and how they plan to share each space
• Create a list of essentials they NEED to bring
• Pack things they don’t use daily FIRST 
• Pack clothes appropriate for the current season. If your student will not be able to travel home during breaks, they might consider packing a set of clothes appropriate for each season OR make a plan to purchase clothes for each season when they arrive at Cedar

Resources:

On-Campus Housing Office

What if my student will be living at home?

It can be difficult to find a balance between allowing and encouraging independence for your student and guiding them to make healthy decisions. What this exactly looks like will vary depending on each student and each family's unique needs. Your college student may need continued support in becoming independent. You have the unique opportunity to continue to lead by example. Instead of managing tasks for your student or feeling like you are nagging them constantly, focus on how you can demonstrate your own routines or skills of organization, time management, and managing other aspects of your life. Invite them to ask questions, see, and participate in how you plan day-to-day tasks and navigate work/leisure activities. When something takes priority over something else. 

Things to do:

• Help your student to prioritize the basics
• Encourage connection with other students
• Involve others when you can - encourage them to reach out to professors, tutors, and resources on campus
• Encourage your student to follow a routine as much as possible
• Ask your student how you can best support them

Resources:

Child Mind Institute

Parent and Family Services

If you are an alumnus of SUU and have new student at SUU, plan to attend our Legacy Mix & Mingle where we will celebrate your student's arrival on campus and the continuing of your family's legacy at SUU. Each Legacy Parent who attends will be given a special Legacy Parent T-Shirt, and your student will receive a Legacy Student T-Shirts too! Light refreshments will be served.