05/22/2026
4 things to teach your soon-to-be college freshmen this summer (before they leave for college):
1. ADULT COMMUNICATION. College professors immediately expect communication skills. Easy ideas:
• Have them call and schedule their own appointments
• Put them in charge of conversations with financial aid, housing, coaches, advisors, etc.
• Make them order their own food, ask questions in stores, and talk to adults directly
• Don’t speak for them in every uncomfortable situation
2. INDEPENDENCE. College exposes gaps in life skills FAST. How can they practice independence?:
• Have them manage their own deadlines and any paperwork (think medical, financial aid, etc.)
• Let them wake themselves up without you coming in every morning
• Make them do their own laundry EVERY TIME
• Teach them how to refill prescriptions, manage a budget, and grocery shop on their own
3. ENCOURAGE PHONE BOUNDARIES. Don’t wait until their grades suck because of their phone use. Try having them:
• Workout, run errands, or eat meals without constantly checking their phone
• Watch a movie without scrolling the entire time
• Drive without checking notifications at stoplights
• Create somewhat realistic sleep schedules (yes, even during the summer)
4. HOW TO TALK ABOUT EMOTIONS. College brings big feelings. Don’t be afraid to talk about homesickness, loneliness, anxiety, asking for help, roommate conflicts, burnout, etc. What does this look like?
• Not treating every uncomfortable feeling or emotion like a crisis
• Asking questions instead of immediately rescuing
• Letting THEM lead problem-solving conversations
• Handling your OWN emotions in healthy ways
• Reminding them that transition periods are hard for most people, even the ones who look like everything is awesome on their social media pages
