It is vital that your son or daughter reads the information it will tell them exactly when and where to go and what they need to bring. If they are going to be living in university halls there will be details about collecting keys, your son or daughter should also bring any information that has been sent to them with them when they come to university.
What to bring: if your child is going be living a long way from home there needs to be some careful thought about what they bring. Try to advise them not to bring too much. Students do need to be able to store nearly (excluding any kitchen equipment) all their property in their room and typically a room will have a small wardrobe, a desk and a bed. You will have seen some of the accommodation on your previous visits to the University and the Accommodation Office has information for new students which gives more detail.
Insurance and TV Licence these are two things that can be sorted prior to coming to university. Students living in halls will need a tv licence if they are having a tv in their rooms and there is more information on students and tv licenses on the Student Support Office web pages . It is also a good idea that all their personal belongings are insured, they may be covered on the household contents insurance it is vital to check with the insurer, you may need separate insurance for some possessions or may be able to increase your premiums by a small amount or purchase separate cover from one of the specialist agencies dealing with students
When you bring your child to university seize the initiative and have a wander around to get a feel for the place, visit the library, coffee bars, and sports facilities in this way you will be better placed to understand your child when they tell you what they have been doing on campus.
Once you have everything sorted - leave. If your child is studying away from home then as soon as you have settled them in if they are happy, leave, and don't look back, your child will soon be investigating their new surroundings, making new friends, unpacking and finding the nearest pub!
Make sure you know how to contact them, postal address, mobile and email, and finally, if they have a pay-as-you go mobile make sure it is well topped up. The only thing to remember is that when they need help you will probably be the first person on the list.
No one tells you what the emptiness is going to be like when you leave your son or daughter after the excitement of getting them to university and all that has been involved for over a year from the time of application to starting the course. More often than not your son or daughter will be fine, it may be you that has the problems adjusting to their leaving; some things that might help you cope are: do something you never have had the time to do before; renew a contact with an old friend; join a club, or start volunteering.
Students living away from home will phone, text and visit home with varying frequency. Some will come home every weekend and maintain friendships and jobs in their hometown, others will get part time jobs in York and will not be free to go home.
The reasons students do go home are many and various: to get washing done; to retreat to a familiar environment; to see boy/girl friends. If parents can offer a safe place it will allow the students to cope best with all the new demands that are being made on them.
During the first few weeks you may get a lot of contact and this may decline as your child settles into university life. A parent cannot control the sorts of difficulties that students encounter when entering this new environment. Some students have problems maintaining what can be two lives; one at home with you and the rest of the family and friends; and one at university, with it's demands from academic work and the freedoms of living away from home for the first time .Students need the support and approval of their parents so that they can manage the two lives and achieve the best they can.
Page last updated July 2008 sm49 Legal statement