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What do U do?Apr 13 '00 Write an essay on this topic.How do you decide what to give to your children when they are ready to begin their first semester of college? Better yet, what do you still do for your children already in college? This subject is a very sensitive subject for me to express my views on, so please bear with me. I am currently trying to further my education with a degree in Marketing Management with a minor in Hospitality Administration. I should have already graduated semesters ago, but I sat out for various reasons. The topic that I am about to discuss is rather a touchy, icky subject for students and their parents. I hope that I can give my insight of what I know now. What does an entering freshman really need when they head off to college? Your LOVE and SUPPORT is the first main ingredient. Without your love and support whom are they going to turn to when they are on their own for the first time in their lives. So the first time they call you and tell you that they bombed an exam because they didn't study like they should have and put other issues before their studies; don't give them a lecture. Try and be supportive and help them understand how important it is to make good grades or they may not have the bright future ahead of them. Phone cards is the second main ingredient. Without this, how can they call you long distance. If you don't know how expensive long distance is on campus, then you should check into it. It is a major rip~off. You can find calling cards on the internet for as low as 1 cent a minute. They will also need to keep in contact with friends and family members back home when they just need to hear that loving, familiar voice on the other end of the phone call. Plenty of notebooks, pens, and loose leaf paper. This third ingredient is a must to buy at your local discount store. If not, your child will be forced to pay up to 4x's the amount at the campus bookstore. All the hygiene stuff. This fourth ingredients is also a must to stock your child up on. Make sure you send plenty of deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, mousse, make~up, shaving gel, razors, toothpaste, dental floss, at least 3 good toothbrushes, perfume or cologne, and any other items your child may deem as a necessity in this category. Money is the fifth and final ingredient. This is a necessity. I would advise a budget, so your child won't always be calling and needing more money. This way they can plan their events around how much money is allotted and plan accordingly. In this category I would also suggest a gas card. Remember the food served on campus isn't always the best option. The items I mentioned above are just my views on what I have experienced the typical college student needs to survive. Sure each family's situation will be different, and that is why the parents or whomever needs or needed shall I say to save for this big event years ago. College is not cheap and will not get cheaper before your children graduate. So please be patient since this will be a whole new world that your children are embarking on. Just keep on your children about calling home and e~mailing little messages to you. They shouldn't argue about e~mailing, since most college students are on a computer at some point every day, and it only takes a few minutes to say hello. But you also have to do the same and e~mail them back. Once this process has started it is easy to lose touch, so keep in this habit. I also believe that it is the parents responsibility to provide the funding for their childrens education and necessities in their college career. It is not easy to have a 4.0 and have a job at the same time. So don't forget to keep those care packages coming to your children that are entering college and to those that are in their fifth year of college. The situation should be pretty much the same. Maybe you could even surprise them by sending them a new cd that they are dying to have but haven't had the cash flow to buy it yet. The little gestures are what can make any college career more bearable and memorable. I hope that you have enjoyed my views on this touchy subject.  |
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