With the turmoil that is the global pandemic of 2020 still going strong, it makes sense that you will be worried about how your child will cope when starting university this year. It can be a tough transition for both young adults and parents alike.
Now the excitement of gaining a place at their chosen university has calmed a little. You will be looking at practical ways to help prepare your child for what comes next in their educational journey and living away from home for the first time. Making sure they have the skills they need is something you can help them with before they fly the nest.
Accommodation
One of the first things you will be looking at is accommodation. There is often a variety of accommodation, and most students will be taking up a room in halls of residence. You can always look around for other options too. You can find out more information on student accommodation in London or the area in which your child will be going to university.
Health and Hygiene
Making sure your child is aware of the best hygiene practices when it comes to cooking and cleaning up after themselves is essential.
Have them help you out around the house with chores, so they know exactly what they are doing and what needs to be done to maintain cleanliness. Small things such as the preferred choice of cleaning brands and how to operate a washing machine will come in handy.
Many parents opt to pack an essentials kit for their university-aged children to take with them or take them shopping to help guide them in the right direction. Cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, cutlery and the like.
The same goes for a small first aid kit—pain relief medication, plasters, scissors, antibacterial gel, wipes etc.
Cooking
We’ve all heard the stories of students surviving solely on packs of dried noodles and beans and toast. Many people have lived this reality too.
While you can’t stop your child from living on the most basic of meals giving them the right skills to cook low cost, some meals will serve them well during their tenure at further education. You can whip up some pretty impressive meals on a small budget and with minimal cooking too – the microwave can be pretty efficient at cooking certain foods!
Advice
One of the best things you can do for your child as they head off to university is to be there for them. Not as a helicopter to parent, but staying in contact. Let them know that they have your support, and you are always here to help them should they encounter any issues. Give them the chance to grow as a person and find their feet in a more adult environment. The experiences they can gain from merely attending university can be hugely beneficial to them, but so can the knowledge that they can count on their parents when times get tough.
