Some things to consider when getting ready to head to college

Summer is ending, and the start of another college year is just around the corner. Now is the critical time to take care of important tasks to ensure a successful launch.

If you are heading out for college for the first year, it is not too late to make these preparations — and parents, take note.

Moving into the residence hall will be less stressful if you approach it from a minimalist perspective. You need basic clothing, bedding, hygiene products and school supplies (including computer). It may surprise you to know that you probably don’t need a printer, as most residence halls have them (but bring a ream of paper). Leave expensive jewelry and family heirlooms at home. What we forget can be easily procured or delivered in a week or purchased at the local convenience store. At EWU, there’s a special shopping night at Bi-Mart prior to the quarter.

Get your books sooner than later and get all the books. If it is an expensive book that you do not think you will use again, consider renting it. Get books for classes at least a week prior to the term if possible, and open them up and browse through them. Check out the college bookstore website. It will have information about the books you need, and how to order them.

Label your valuable items (like that expensive parka) with your cell phone number. At EWU, the campus police offer ID engraving on your high value items (like computer and bike). You can also register your bike on the EWU police website to have a record in case anything happens to it. And while we’re thinking of this, make sure you have a bike lock, saving the combination on you phone.

Most colleges require standard immunizations. EWU is one of the few that does not require proof of immunization for admission, however, this does not mean that you don’t need them. You might need to be able to show proof of immunizations for particular programs, such as student teaching or clinical practicums later. Bring a copy of your immunization record with you to school in case you need it for your healthcare provider.

Many students opt to get a meningitis vaccination. In the state of Washington, if you are 18 or younger, you should be able to get the standard vaccine (Menactra) at no cost due to state law. Check with your clinic or family health care provider.

Have “the talk” with your parents about what access you will be giving them to your records. Your college should not be put in the middle of a discussion between your inquiring parents and you. If you want, you can provide your parents with access to everything by sharing your student PIN and passwords.

At most colleges, you can also set up access for parents to the bill-pay/financial system. (Hint: if they’re paying for your college, this is probably a good idea.)

Most colleges are going to communicate with you through your officially issued student email address. If you don’t like to check multiple emails, you can go through simple steps to have all your email forwarded to your main email.

We hope emergencies don’t happen, but be prepared with a basic first aid kit in your car or room. Add ICE (in case of emergency) contacts to your phone; ensure your campus contact information is also up to date. Don’t forget that your smart phone has a flashlight app.

Before the start of the term, think of something you would like to do and imagine yourself enjoying it. The year will go by quickly. If you do not set this activity in your mind as a strong intention, you may find yourself lonely and isolated in your residence hall and realizing that all you have done thus far is text your mother with updates.

Connect with other students. How hard can it be to meet new people when there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other new people around? If you’re a bit introverted — as I am — this is going to require some work. But, if you do it, you will be happier and more successful.

If that’s not enough to do and you’d truly like to be an over-achiever, throw in a handful of pre-addressed/stamped postcards for your folks back home. At EWU, we have cards for you that share your new address. And we’ll even mail those for you.

Stacey Morgan Foster, JD is the Vice President for Student Affairs at Eastern Washington University. She has been helping families and students successfully transition to college for over 30 years.