Living On Their Own

Things your Student Should Know Before Coming to COCC

• How to write a check and balance a checkbook.
• How to use a credit card wisely and how to evaluate the myriad offers they'll receive once they're at school.
• How to budget. If you give your student money, be clear about what it's supposed to cover.
• How to do laundry. Teach them to separate their darks and whites so they'll avoid that first-solo-wash "pink glow."
• The importance of personal hygiene. Remind them that they'll be buying their own deodorant and shampoo (and their friends will like them better if they do so regularly). Remind them to change their sheets more than once per term.
• Lock their doors. Students want to be trusting of their friends, but it's important to always lock rooms, and to not let non-residents into their residence hall after hours.
• How to be assertive in communicating. Your student will run into situations where they'll feel pressure-a group of students is going out, or a roommate is staying up late and listening to loud music. Help them think about their choices and how to be assertive in communicating those choices.
• How to be responsible consumers of their education. Encourage them to ask for academic and emotional support-there are lots of people at the College who want to provide assistance and numerous services available to help students, including classes on student success, meetings with academic advisors, and visits with professors during office hours.