The Anti-Checklist Checklist
Good news! This checklist contains things that you do NOT need to stress or worry about. I wish it was as long as the to do checklists, but at least there will be a few items to help lighten your mental load the summer before college.
Don’t have college textbooks purchased before move-in? DOES NOT MATTER. Not only are lots of college textbooks online (note: this does not mean they are cheaper, unfortunately), my freshman was advised not to buy any books until the first class met. This went against every fiber in my organized being but it turned out to be right on. Some materials that are listed are really not necessary.
Have your freshman check out Slugbooks, a great comparison tool to help get the best deal on college textbooks.
Thinking your child could not possibly have all of the clothes needed for every possible occasion? GOOD! You’ve done a great job if your freshman is not loaded down with four seasons of clothes for every event imaginable. First of all, every freshman I know returned from college this year with an urge to be more minimalist. Marie Kondo’ed? Maybe. But I think it was a life lesson learned. When you don’t have room for all of that “stuff”, you realize, wow, maybe I don’t need all of that stuff after all.
- Confession: This does not mean I’ve gone Marie Kondo. You never know, I may fit back into those clothes at some point.
Convinced your freshman is doomed because she doesn’t have a major selected or any idea of what she might want to do with her life? LET IT GO. Don’t stress yourself or your kid out about this one. At all. Plenty of freshmen change their majors. That’s one of the best parts about college--learning about options you may not have considered or even been aware of. Your kid will figure it out.
And, for a shameless plug, we have a spectacular archive of info about college majors. Don't worry about it right this second, but do bookmark it for later. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
Devastated that your time as a parent is over? BACK IT UP. Parenting definitely changes when your child leaves for college but it is far from over. Try to enjoy this exciting new phase of your parent-child dynamic.
If you haven't already, check out Grown and Flown. It's great for parents at this phase of life.