Many seniors intend to strike out on their own for the first time, and some are more prepared than others. Settling into a new place can be difficult, and it is hard to tell if a brand new place can be called home.
“You don’t really know until you get there,” Kristy Riley, chemistry and forensics teacher said. Her daughter is a freshman in college.
Visiting a college can be the most important part of preparations, in order to learn, but also to decide if that can be home.
“She [Riley’s daughter] went to visit all the colleges – big, little, in between – she got a feel of what would be best for her,” Riley said.
Students often visit campuses, talk to their soon to be roommates, and even get jobs to prepare for independence. Each student prepares differently and to a different extent, so readiness depends on the student.
“That all comes down to how much they are willing to take care of on their own,” Joseph Schertz, associate principal said. He has one child in college, and one leaving soon.
When preparing for college some students are confident in their ability to adjust to their new life.
There is also a mental aspect to prepare for, which one student highlighted.
“Focus on mental health, make sure I’m okay when I leave,” senior Adam Lawinski said.
Sometimes it can help to have family or friends in an area, making it more familiar, and perhaps less scary.
“I have my older cousin, who went to the school two years ago,” Ibrahim said.
Some students are experienced in being away from home, having gone to summer camps or on other trips on their own. Experiences like this can help to foster independence and prepare students for when they have to leave.
“[I am] just making sure I do the things I need to do around the house so I’m prepared to live on my own,” Lawinski said.
College preparations include more than just independence practice and mental readiness.
“I have a whole bag full of outlets, notebooks, pencils, and microwave noodles,” Connor Ibrahim, senior, said.
When a teen goes to college, parents likely will not know if they are ready until after their child leaves.
“I wasn’t nervous for her, I was nervous overall, in general,” Riley said, “But I think, leading up to it, I was more excited about her leaving.”
With the planning that goes into choosing college, students can also put the minds of their parents at ease by making a plan for living on their own. Learning to be independent and learning to accomplish tasks alone can help a student to be fully prepared for college.