Tips for University Parents

6 月 18, 2019

4 Must-Read Tips for University Parents

Congratulations! Whether your child is prepping for their first semester at a university or their last, you deserve a pat on the back for supporting them as they begin to tackle the world as an adult. While the fact that your child is on their way to becoming a young professional is certainly something to be celebrated, there are plenty of challenges that lie ahead. Though you survived the terrible twos, it can be argued that a panicked “I slept through a final exam” phone call from your 20-something is almost as unpleasant. Luckily, these Tips for University Parents will help you navigate this exciting and transitional time in both of your lives.

Create Quick Cuisine.

As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.  University students spend staggering amounts of money on food delivery services, so take some time to teach your child a few quick and easy recipes. No need to get fancy, some simple dishes will remind them of home and keep them from totally adhering to a diet of pizza and beer. It’s a win-win as you’ll be able to sneak in some quality time, and your bank account will thank you!

Money Matters.

After the basic cooking skills and a quick laundry tutorial, some smart financial decisions guidance is one of the most important things university parents can teach their children as they become increasingly independent. One common mistake made by university students is signing a rental agreement with housemates only to have them fail to pay their share, especially on Joint and Several Agreements. As a parent and possible rent guarantor, you may find yourself taking on massive debt along with your child. To avoid this, I recommend checking out a service like Only My Share that protects you both from a future financial disaster.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.

As the title suggests, communication is key. As a university parent, the most important thing you can do is remain on the same page as your child. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will agree with every decision your child makes or that they will follow all (ok, any) of the (amazing) advice you give them. It means keeping an open line of communication and discussing future goals to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Information is Power.

University students are notoriously terrible when it comes to passing along important information in a timely manner. Between their busy social life and crammed class schedule, your child might not be the best when it comes to keeping you informed. This may be borderline infuriating for a university parent, but luckily university websites are packed full of important information and dates of semester breaks just waiting to be transferred into your calendar. Make sure to check your child’s university website every once and awhile to stay up to date.

This article about the “4 Top Tips for University Parents” was written for Only My Share by Ameena Debboun. For more information on how Only My Share can help you protect yourself from rent arrears in shared rented accommodation, visit onlymyshare.com or call 0203 887 2961.