Part 4: And What About Your College Kid?
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If your child is beyond the primary or secondary school stage and is preparing to leave the nest for college, the list of what they will need probably surpasses anything you've ever purchased for them before.
But perhaps they don't need as much as you think.
Michael Scales (below right), associate vice president of student affairs at Temple University, says pre-planning is key.
"I think to reduce some of the clutter and the financial burden that starting college presents, I would recommend they talk to their roommate, come up with a list of items that they will think they need mutually, and then decide who is going to bring what."
Scales also says it's important to read the list of what is allowed in the dorm -- and what is not allowed in the dorm -- before you purchase appliances and other large or expensive items.
Each year, he says, he sees items being carried back to the car.
"Sometimes it will be televisions. Quite often it is refrigerators and microwaves -- those tend to be the biggest items, or items that just couldn't fit on the room based on the configuration. And that is a little bit more variable. But it's mostly around appliances and forbidden items," he advises.
So how can parents keep their blood pressure down during college move-in time?
" Prepare early, get your game plan together about your arrival, make sure you understand the traffic patterns and where you need to go. Bring your own water. And I recommend they bring their own cart as well. Our carts are in high demand, and students generally bring more items than what can fit on one cart," Scales observes.
He says if you have any questions or doubts about what is allowed and what is not, a quick call to your child's college or university will save you time, energy, and money.
Watch a Video: Move-in Day at Temple University
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio 1060
