Before College

There’s a lot of attention on dorm shopping, move-in day, and packing lists.

But before your student leaves for campus, there are a handful of practical details worth taking care of first.

Things like important documents, healthcare information, banking access, travel plans, and understanding what changes when they turn 18.

Most of these tasks aren't difficult. They're just easy to overlook when you're focused on everything else.

This section covers the real-life details that can make the transition to college a little smoother for both students and parents.

Start With These

If you're not sure where to begin, these are great first reads:

→ Turning 18: What Changes

→ Important Documents to Have in Place

→ Parent Checklist Before College

Turning 18

One birthday can change more than most families realize.

Once your student turns 18, privacy laws can limit access to medical information, school records, and other situations where parents have traditionally been involved.

Understanding what changes—and which documents may be worth considering—can help you avoid surprises later.

→ Read Turning 18

Important Documents

A few basic documents can make life much easier if an unexpected situation comes up.

This includes items such as:

• Healthcare and HIPAA forms

• Insurance information

• Emergency contacts

• Financial and legal documents

• Copies of important records

→ See the Important Documents Guide

Parent Checklist

Prefer a simple list?

Our Parent Checklist brings together the key tasks many families complete before move-in day, helping you stay organized without making things more complicated than they need to be.

→ View the Parent Checklist

Before They Go

Some of the most important college tasks aren't found on a packing list.

Prescription refills, banking access, travel plans, communication expectations, and knowing where to find help on campus are all things that tend to come up sooner than expected.

→ Read Before They Go

College Packing

Packing for college isn't just about buying things.

It's about knowing what to bring, what to leave at home, and how to make move-in day easier.

A little planning now can save money, space, and a lot of last-minute stress.

→ Explore College Packing

A Quick Note

You don't need to tackle everything in one weekend.

Focus on the basics, work through them one step at a time, and remember that most families are learning as they go.

The goal isn't perfect preparation—it's taking care of the things that matter before they become urgent.

Next Step

Ready for move-in?

→ Explore Dorm & Move-In

Know another family getting ready for college?
Feel free to share this page with a friend, family member, or college parent Facebook group. Sometimes the most helpful college tips are the ones people don't realize they need until later.