Moving a child to college is a big transition for everyone. To help ease what’s sure to be a busy and emotional event in August, Iowa Now asked seasoned UI parents to offer words of wisdom to the parents of this year’s incoming class. Below is what they had to say.
Fred and Carol Hausmann
(parents of sophomore Neal Hausmann), Tinley Park, Illinois:
"After moving our fourth and final kid to Iowa last August, our advice is to plan ahead: Throughout the summer, make a corner of your house the area to accumulate everything you think to pack for your child’s college dorm. When you plan ahead and prepare, you will take a deep breath as you drive up to the residence hall knowing you may avoid frantic running around on move-in day."
The University Housing & Dining website has details about 2015 move-in.
Ann Brooks
(mother of sophomore Kaitlin Brooks),
Burbank, California:
"Talk to your student about when you will see them again. We let Kaitlin set the communication (how often, texting, talking, FaceTiming), and it has all had a natural flow. Also, we used the large vacuum bags for packing—however, they began to inflate as we went over the Rockies, leaving Kait less seat room as they expanded."
Rich Emory
(parent of sophomore Caroline Emory), Davenport, Iowa:
"The single best tip I can give is to meet with the head or leader of your family’s faith student outreach center. Make it priority. And if you can meet some upperclassmen, so much the better.
"Knowing your student has a friendly, experienced, knowledgeable, trustworthy person to talk to about 'college stuff' when it can’t be you is peace of mind you can’t buy (a huge shout-out to Pastor Mons at the LCMS Student Center).
"Oh, don’t forget a fresh box of tissues for the trip home."
Kris Marshall
(parent of Erin Marshall, May 2015 graduate), Rosemount, Minnesota:
- Be grateful for the wonderful opportunity for higher education, and exude an attitude of excitement for your student, not anxiety or sadness.
- Build in time for a leisurely meal to talk before leaving.
- Bring some handy items for getting a room set up: bucket, rags, Windex cleaner, paper towels, tape (Scotch, masking, and duct), scissors, extension cord, light bulbs and batteries for any lamps or devices, simple tool set (we always ended up buying something AFTER we got to the dorm and then needed to assemble it) that includes pliers, socket wrench, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, and hammer.
- Take a picture, fight back tears, and then begin heavy sobbing after you drive away so your student doesn’t see. :-)
Rosemary Reyes
(parent of Edwardo Galvan, May 2015 graduate), Palos Hills, Illinois:
"The years will fly by! My son and I planned weekly calls for every Sunday. Also, I think that the welcome, midterm, and finals care packages are a must. And if you mail something at different times—like a card with a gift card for coffee or food—they’ll really appreciate that!"
Theresa Mahoney
(parent of sophomore Ashley Essmann), Waterloo, Iowa:
"We bought 10 to 12 plastic bins (about $5 apiece at Wal-Mart) to move our daughter’s clothing in—they were easy to stack, and when it rained on move-in day, we didn’t have to worry about them getting wet in the bed of the pickup. We brought them home and stacked them in the basement; as the end of second semester approached, we took four or five of them back on the weekends she came home and had her pack up out-of-season clothes. Also, if you have clothing on hangers, you can use large garbage bags as inexpensive garment bags by poking a hole in the top to let the hangers through.
"On the emotional side, I reminded myself that, as her parent, it was my job to get her ready to move on in life. So, while I did get a little teary-eyed when we dropped her off, I told myself that instead of being sad I should be proud for a job well done. It helped me put it into perspective."