A Guide to Preparing Your Child for University
Going to university is an exciting time in any child’s life, and one that is full of opportunity. However, it can also be a daunting time, especially for parents. If you are sending your child to university for the first time, or you need to brush up on your knowledge having sent an older child a few years back, follow this guide for our top tips on how to prepare.
Create a Financial Plan
One of the most commonly overlooked parts of going to university is the need for your child to be financially independent and able to understand where their money is going. University can be expensive, especially if your child is paying off student loans at the same time as studying. A good way to address this is to sit down with them before they go and create a financial plan that will support them through their studies.
There are some great budget planners available for free online that are designed specifically for students, so you should download one and then take the time to go through it – consider any income your child will be making from a part time job, and then work out the cost of living on campus, paying for school supplies and shopping for groceries. Once your child has an idea of how they will afford their necessities and leave room for any luxuries, they will be approaching university in a calm, confident manner.
Make Sure Their Tech Is Up to Date
The next step towards preparing your child for university is making sure that the technology they use is up to date, including their devices and any installed software. For fast-paced lectures and long nights spent studying, your child will need a high performing computer that can keep up with the demands of student life, so you’ll need to make sure they have one with a powerful processor and memory card.
If you need some inspiration, you can find some great Lenovo Desktops for College Students and university students that will fit the bill and leave you with a confident child ready to take on anything. If you’re shopping for university on a budget, it’s worth bearing in mind that many universities work with Microsoft to offer their Office packages as part of the course, so don’t rush into a subscription quite yet – find out what is included in your child’s course before going ahead with any software purchases.
Go On a Shopping Spree
After you’ve ensured that your child’s tech and finances are up to date, it’s time to go on a university shopping spree. This is a great way to bond with your child before they fly the nest, and there are plenty of ways find things cheaper if you’re on a budget. Exactly what your child needs will vary depending on their course, location and study habits, so it’s worth going through a rough guide on what to take to university with them before deciding what is relevant to them and what might need to be added.
Waving your kid off to university will no doubt be an emotional time, but by following this guide you can rest assured that they are ready to take on whatever this new chapter throws at them. With the right technology and a financial plan, they will be confident in their ability and make you proud.
