As the parent of a soon-to-be freshman at the university, you’ve got a lot on your plate. You’re scheduling campus tours, arranging housing, picking meal plans, buying dorm essentials…all while trying to help your student get ready to take on the challenge of college education.
For many parents, that also means taking one last pre-semester trip to Tuscaloosa to help your new college student get the lay of the land and get ready to start – and slay – their freshman year. If that sounds like you, here are some tips to help get your freshman ready to start college that involve working smarter, not harder.
Schedule a Campus Tour
If you haven’t yet, be sure to schedule a guided campus tour to get a first-hand glimpse of college life at the hands of a current student. You’ll spend about two hours visiting top campus locations and learning about the school’s rich history and current opportunities. Once you’re finished, you should also…
Explore campus solo
The guides are great, but your student will need to learn to navigate campus on their own two feet before the semester starts. Download a campus map and set out on some solo exploration. Locate important areas like dining and residential halls, the student center, any upcoming classes and the best routes to take between common sites. If you stay at WestGate during your visit, the heart of campus is just steps from your condo!
Map the city
Once you’ve checked the campus off your list, it’s time to explore the surrounding areas. Because most freshmen students are required to live on-campus, start by strolling around The Strip. It’s a busy mix of stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues a few blocks from school where new students spend a lot of their free time.
After that, find any other important locations they may need. Try to think outside the box to avoid those frantic late-night phone calls. At minimum, find your closest choice in:
- Laundromat
- Grocery Store
- Bank
- Post Office
- Hospital(s)
Stay at WestGate
These tips are about taking the stress out of your student send-off. Which is why WestGate should be your homebase for pre-college readiness! Our facility offers an unmatched location in the heart of UA territory, where you’ll be just steps from the center of campus and Stadium. Your family can easily explore the exact area where your son or daughter will live before returning to prime comfort in a luxurious condo packed with amenities. It’s the smartest start to your student’s future success, so book your stay today!
