Imy Wax & Associates

Part of the college experience is learning to be independent and self-reliant, and knowing some things ahead of time can help make the transition to college easier.


Financial Facts
Besides paying tuition, room and board, and books, college students often face a multitude of smaller expenses that add up quick. Soon after you get to college you’ll start seeing what the “extra” expenses are going to be. DON”T WAIT to share this information with your parents, it’s better to tell them up front than add more stress. It’s better to come up with a plan with your parents on how to portion the allowance you’ll be getting as soon as possible.


Financial Aid
Your parents have filed a FAFSA to be able to receive the maximum funding. Be advised and educated on what type of financial aid your parents received. Not only is it important to know what type of aid was given but you should also educate yourself on the repayment that will be required possibly from you as well


Banks /Credit Unions On Campus
Your college campus will usually have a bank or credit union located on it. Banks and credit unions on campus are quite convenient as they can provide information regarding student loans, personal loans, and checking and saving accounts, as well as convenient cash withdrawals and money transfers.


Health Services and Counseling Office
Make sure you know the location of the health center and Counseling Center. It’s important to know this before you or fellow college student gets sick or needs help. Knowing the location is just the first step: When you find the location go inside and learn about the service fees the center charges, as well as the services offered.


Vehicles: On and Off Campus
Are Freshman allowed to have cars on campus? Some colleges do not have the space to allow every student to have a car, or they may restrict parking access to certain levels of students (juniors and seniors, for example). Be sure to check with the school’s parking office for vehicle restrictions and guidelines.


Cell Phone Coverage
Don’t make assumptions. Check beforehand to make sure that your wireless phone will work on the college campus. If the phone won’t work (or if they don’t have a phone), look for student discounts provided through the school or local companies. Special student rate plans may be available.


Roommate Basics
Many colleges will have had you fill out forms about your roommate “preferences.” Know that conflicts are likely when you move away from home to share a small living space with one or more new people. Conflict is natural, so be prepared and don’t be surprised. It’s not unusual that you and your new roommate have different “living patterns.” Figure out a way to make it work. This is your first of many experiences in learning to adapt to one of life experiences. Always try to find a resolution. Resident assistants and other staff members can also assist with conflicts as needed. If conflicts cannot be resolved, you can seek a room change, though that request will depend on available space.


Alcohol/Drug Policy
All colleges and universities comply fully with federal and state laws governing alcohol—students under the age of 21 may not legally possess or consume alcohol. Every school has their own disciplinary action for students who violate the alcohol policy. Some include meeting with staff members to discuss the situation at hand, while others include participating in classes. If you are a student who will need to continue to take medications started while at home you MUST find a secure lockbox and a place in your room to keep it out of view. If you choose to share your medications you can be expelled when you are caught. Be careful.


The Dorm Room
Check with the school to find what items are included in the cost of the dorm room. All dorm rooms will have at least a bed and a desk, plus a closet and sometimes a dresser/chest of drawers. YOU 9 and your roommate) are responsible for cleaning and decorating the rooms. If you are able to talk with your roommate before the school year starts, coordinate what items each of you will bring to furnish the room.


Family Weekend
Check your campus event calendar so you are not surprised when your family shows up for a special college-wide family weekend event. Parents and siblings can visit campus during these special events to learn about the school, and special events such as sports, fine arts, movies, and games are often planned.

The first rule of thumb that a mom uses in deciding when is the right time to involve other people in caring for the child is after there has been a period of time that she has been able to observe the comfort or distress level of that child… in other words how “fussy” is your child? How well do you know what makes the child feel comforted? Do you understand the child’s disposition? Is it easy going, or does she/he like to sleep a certain way? At a certain time? Do you have a schedule and structure in place that would be easy to follow by someone else? For example, the time to sleep, to eat, to play, etc. When you and the child have a “rhythm” together then you know you are ready to introduce a new person.


Secondly, picking that other person can be a challenge more than you think.
There is nothing sweeter to a family member, especially a grandparent, for example, when they are called upon to help in the care of their grandchild…well, maybe. The present generation of grandparents, while eager to help, are also very active in their own lives. Many are still working, or enjoying the fruits of their labor. They want to contribute but feel conflicted. They want to “fill-in” but do not necessarily desire to give up days each week, all year. Are they the right people to count on to be consistent as caregivers?


The child needs a person who, from early childhood, does not necessarily “substitute” for the mother but is someone available consistently, introduced to the child slowly, until they too understand the “rhythm” of that child. I remember interviewing care-takers when my children where very little. I needed to start back to work but wanted to feel reassured that this new person was on the “same wave-length” as my child. This took place years ago before hidden cameras. I had hired this person(s) to come over for a few hours when I knew my child was “up.” I didn’t stay in the room with her but simply observed from a distance. I was looking to see whether this person tried to make my child conform to her time table of when to play, be fed, or be held, and when my child was ready for this to happen. If you have invested time in getting to know your child, you will see that you can observe and analyze this difference.


It is always difficult to “let-go” of your child, no matter how old they are. But the best time to “share” your child is when you feel confident that you and your child have “bonded.” You are able to respond to your child as though he/she has been with you forever. It’s when you know that your child recognizes you to be the primary giver, the person who can be counted on to return. Children can develop a timetable of their own that allows them to feel secure, too.