When you are sending your student off to college there are many details to finalize before you hit the road with a packed trailer. Here are some important and sometimes overlooked items you should add to your departure list that are student and dorm essential.

1. Keep all college correspondence in one folder. Some of the info might be time sensitive and it is easier if it is right at your fingertips.
2. Get all dorm room info if possible, a floor plan of the room and what’s all included. Be sure to check the closet space, shelving and additional storage space.
3. When the school calendar arrives copy the vacation and break dates.
4. If you are planning to rent a van, trailer of semi to transport your child to school, make the arrangements immediately. Back to school is one of the busiest seasons.
5. Make appointments for physicals and dental, especially if needed over breaks. Get copies of prescriptions, immunization records, and glasses and contact lens prescriptions and also doctor’s phone numbers
6. Get the phone numbers for clinics and student health for your child’s school and leave a copy of those numbers at home.
7. Have insurance cards in your students’ wallets and a copy in their room.
8. Make two photocopies of everything in your wallet and your important papers. Keep one copy at home and one at school.
9. Study available student banking packages for college students. How is the money deposited and withdrawn?
10. Find out the move in date. Will they accept packages before the move in date? Where are the packages kept and how can they be retrieved?
11. What is the computer situation? Are they direct hoop-ups? Do they need an Ethernet card? How accessible are the printers on campus?

There are a million things to do and remember when your child is off to college for the first time. I hope this list helps to get you started on this big transition for you and your child who will soon be living in the dorms. This college list is not comprehensive, but it’s a great place to start!