Newswise — It might seem obvious, but new college students should leave their pets at home, said Kimberly Joyce, assistant director of service learning and volunteerism at Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J. And that's not all.
Joyce, who has a master's of arts degree in student personnel services from Rowan and who has worked with students for 15 years at several East Coast institutions, offers the following tips for new (and not-so-new) college students and their parents as students transition to campus in the next month.
Among the items not to bring to school:
"¢ firearms or ammunition (even if you're "a hunter" )"¢ candles"¢ your boyfriend/girlfriend (check your school's guest policy)"¢ halogen lamps"¢ booze, marijuana, bongs (or other paraphernalia)"¢ incense"¢ stringed party/holiday lights"¢ dart board"¢ extension cord without a surge protector
Students should bring:
"¢ an alarm clock"¢ organizer"¢ nice bedding (an egg crate will make that so-so mattress work) "¢ headphones (for when your roommate's sleepy and you're not)"¢ photos (to get you through those first couple of weeks)"¢ fold-up chair for room guests (that way they'll avoid your bed)"¢ sleeping bag (for road trips and sleepovers)"¢ shower shoes"¢ small refrigerator (don't rent one " they last forever)"¢ floor rug if your residence hall is tiled"¢ wristwatch (bells no longer ring to keep you on schedule)"¢ a bike and lock (if your campus is spread out)
As for surviving their first year and general safety issues, she tells students:
"¢ never leave your cell phone on in class"¢ stay open minded " you are going to meet lots of different people and that's part of the learning process"¢ your roommate does not have to be your best friend"¢ have fun but realize you're there to get an education"¢ the freshman 15 is not a myth " take care of yourself"¢ get involved in student life on campus"¢ be friendly but don't trust everyone"¢ pick a major you enjoy and interesting work will follow"¢ get to know your professors and at least one person in each class in case you have to miss "¢ expect to spend 3 hours on homework for every 1 hour in class"¢ don't run up a credit card"¢ do not put your life story on Facebook " students have been stalked and employers have turned down job offers "¢ walk in groups at night " it doesn't matter how safe your campus looks"¢ never leave your residence hall door open "¢ never prop open the outside entrance to your residence hall because you're expecting a guest or a pizza delivery"¢ never let a delivery person into the residence hall to find a room " let him/her wait outside "¢ do not drive with people who have been drinking"¢ do not leave backpacks unattended in the cafeteria or in class"¢ go to parties in groups and never leave a friend behind
And she tells parents:
"¢ be honest about your hopes, fears, and expectations"¢ talk with your child about safety, alcohol and drugs, and the fact that "no means no" "¢ make a quick and graceful exit after you help move in the first day"¢ understand that your child is not calling because he/she is very busy not because he/she does not love or miss you"¢ let your child try to solve his/her own problems on campus before calling and complaining on his/her behalf"¢ let your child pick his/her own major"¢ urge your child to take advantage of college resources if he/she is experiencing difficulty (campus health center, free counseling, advising, etc.)"¢ encourage your child to stay on campus until Thanksgiving"¢ take advantage of Family Weekend
Joyce has served as director of general education at the Art Institute of Philadelphia; assistant dean at Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y.; dean of students at Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga.; and assistant director of orientation/residence hall director, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va.
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