TIPS FOR MOVE-IN YOUR FIRST WEEK BACK HOME THEIR FIRST WEEK AWAY • Make plans with your partner, family, or friends. • Tackle a new project. (Busy hands don’t send endless check-in texts.) • If you’ve got younger children at home, enjoy some one-on-one time with them. • Send an upbeat postcard to your student. • Put together a care package of forgotten items and favorite treats to mail at the end of the week. • Allow your student to become fully immersed in their new environment. A couple of encouraging texts are okay, but for the most part, wait for them to initiate communication. • Expect some panicked texts or calls as they find their footing. (Try not to swoop in to solve problems for them, but be a sympathetic ear and help them find the best on-campus resources.) • By the end of week one, a little something in their mailbox will make them smile! There’s a lot of planning that goes into move-in day. But what about the day after? GET READY FOR TAKE OFF If your student is flying, look into ship-ahead options for all but a couple days worth of necessities. Several economical options cater to the college crowd. Check with housing or your parent coordinator for more details. START SHOPPING NOW Shop ahead as much as possible (NSU provides an excellent “what to bring” list). The fewer loose ends there are on move-in day, the better! WHEN TO PACK Your student’s participation in packing will set them up for smooth unpacking and organizing independently (or with their new roommate). But don’t be surprised if they drag their feet. Packing makes it very real. CALM WATERS MAKE HAPPY SHARKS No drama! Emotional speeches are best delivered the night before. Keep move-in day upbeat and task-driven. THEY’VE GOT THIS Try not to linger on the big day. You’ve done a great job setting your student up for success! THE BIG DAY!
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