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(253) 272-5226Sending your child off to college for the first time is exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. This is true whether they’re going across town or across the country.
The good news is that a little preparation can go a long way. By talking through personal safety, understanding campus resources, reviewing insurance, and making a simple emergency plan, you can help your student feel more confident and independent before move-in day.
Before fall classes start, take time to have a few open conversations about personal safety. Ideally, these discussions will feel like a natural extension of the conversations you’ve had throughout your child’s life.
Here are a few topics you may want to cover:
Try to frame these conversations around confidence and personal responsibility instead of fear. The goal isn’t to make your student anxious. It’s to help them recognize situations where making smart decisions can help keep them safe.
Most colleges offer a variety of safety resources, but they only help if students know they exist. Take time to familiarize yourselves with what’s available.
Here are some common examples:
Each college is different, so explore the school’s website or reach out to learn more about available safety and security resources.
Whether your student plans to bring a car, ride public transportation, or simply walk across campus, it’s worth discussing transportation safety.
College campuses bring together pedestrians, buses, bicycles, scooters, rideshare vehicles, and cars in a relatively small area. Encourage your student to slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for pedestrians, especially at crosswalks and during class changes.
It’s also helpful to become familiar with campus parking rules before arriving. Understanding where parking is allowed can help students avoid tickets, towing, and unnecessary distractions.
If your student is attending college in another state, remind them that traffic laws aren’t always the same everywhere. Encourage them to become familiar with state and local driving laws.
It’s also a good idea to review your auto insurance coverage before they leave and confirm what’s covered while they’re away from home. As an added bonus, consider identifying a reputable auto repair shop near campus before it’s ever needed.
Many colleges provide students with bus, train, or transit passes. Encourage your student to learn how these systems work early in the semester so they’ll feel comfortable using them when needed.
While waiting for public transportation, remind them to stay aware of their surroundings instead of becoming distracted by their phone.
Encourage your student to have at least one rideshare app, such as Uber or Lyft, downloaded and set up before they arrive on campus. Even if they don’t expect to use it often, having it ready can make it easier to get home safely after a late-night event, if public transportation isn’t available, or if they ever feel uncomfortable walking alone.
Consider telling your student that if they ever need a safe ride home, you’ll cover the cost and focus on getting them home safely first. The conversation can wait until the next day. That simple conversation may encourage them to make a safer choice instead of driving impaired or riding with someone who has been drinking.
Chances are your student will need medical care at some point during college, whether it’s for an illness, or unexpected injury. Having a plan before it’s needed can make an already stressful situation much easier to manage.
A few things you can do include:
Most importantly, encourage your student to use these resources when they’re sick or injured. Ignoring symptoms or delaying care can sometimes allow a small problem to become a much bigger one.
The key to all of this is being proactive. When students already know where to turn for help, they’re more likely to act quickly if something unexpected happens.
Before move-in day, consider putting a simple emergency plan in place. Some ideas include:
Sending your child to college is a major milestone. While you can’t prepare for every situation, taking a little time to discuss personal safety, transportation, healthcare, and emergency planning can help your student navigate college with greater confidence.
Those conversations today may give both of you a little more peace of mind tomorrow.
If your college student is seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence, understanding your legal rights can feel overwhelming, especially if they’re away from home.
The team at Ladenburg Law offers free, no-obligation consultations and can help you understand your rights and next steps. Reach out to us by calling 253.272.5226 or filling out the short form on our website.