I was recently eavesdropping—ahem, I mean, observing—a conversation between a mom and her son at an airport restaurant. From the sound of it, they’d just wrapped up a college visit to the University of Florida. She was gently peppering him with questions about how he’d manage life on campus. He, however, was laser-focused on the Gators’ football schedule and how to coordinate his life around kickoff time
And honestly? It was relatable. I’ve had so many of these conversations with students over the years—conversations that revolve around everything except academics. These are the real-life, no-one-ever-talked-about-this-until-it-happened kinds of things. In other words: the “adulting” checklist nobody asked for but everyone eventually needs.
So whether you’re the student getting ready to launch or the family member nervously trying not to hover (but totally hovering), here are a few things worth thinking about before they become a problem.
Health & Hygiene: The Basics You Thought Just Happened
Working with students in disability services, I regularly talk with them about how they plan to manage their medications—that part’s expected. But the day I helped a student figure out how to talk to their roommate about using the last of the aluminum foil? That’s when it hit me: there are so many everyday situations we just don’t think about until they happen.
Let’s start with the classics: medication, hygiene, and bodily maintenance—also known as “stuff someone else probably managed until now.”
- Medications: Who’s been keeping track of refills, dosages, and pickup schedules? Probably not the student. So… when do you take your meds? How will you remember? Is there a pharmacy nearby or a plan for delivery?
- Toiletries: What happens when you run out of razors, toothpaste, or—heaven forbid—deodorant? Can you get to a store? Do you know how Amazon works? Or will you become that roommate everyone side-eyes in the hallway?
- Feeling Sick: Do you go to class or go to the health center? Where is the health center? Do you need insurance? Is it walk-in or appointment only? Can you trust the campus doctor or are you going to panic-text your mom with “I Googled my symptoms and WebMD says I have 6 hours to live”?
- Laundry: How often should it happen? (Hint: weekly is generous.) Do you separate colors? Do you know what not to wash on hot? And can we please not forget to check the pockets before everything goes in? A single stick of gum can take down an entire wardrobe.
- Toilet Paper: Does your shared bathroom restock TP? Do you need to buy your own? (Spoiler alert: yes.) Have at least one secret emergency roll hidden in your closet. You’ll thank me at 2 a.m.
Food: When to Eat Is Now Your Problem
Back in high school, meals were… there. You woke up to breakfast, lunch was scheduled, and dinner just sort of appeared. Welcome to college, where time is a flat circle and you may have class smack in the middle of mealtime.
- Class at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, noon on Tuesday, and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday? Great. So when are you eating?
- The dining hall closes at 8:00. You’re still in the library. Did you pack snacks? Keep granola bars in your drawer like it’s a squirrel den.
- Bonus question: What’s your “emergency snack” policy? You need one. Trust me.
Waking Up: Who’s Gonna Drag You Out of Bed Now?
I remember the first time this came up while working in higher ed—a parent asked if we could call her son every morning to make sure he was awake. Wait… what? Yep, she was completely serious. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen. But what did happen was a very necessary conversation between that mom and her son about learning how to get himself up each day.
Let’s paint a scenario: you go to bed at midnight. Your phone alarm is set. But oh no—it wasn’t charging. Dead phone. No alarm. Morning class? Missed.
What’s your backup plan? Old-school alarm clock? Roommate? Internal guilt system?
Also: if your phone charger suddenly stops working (and it will, always during midterms), do you have a backup? Know where to buy one?
Financial Basics: AKA “Where Did My Money Go?”
The first time I checked my son’s bank account during his first year, I couldn’t believe how many times one person could eat at Panera in one week. Come to find out, the Panera on campus was right next to where my son was having class and it was an easy grab-n-go option for him. After a gentle text reminding him that spending that much in one week on Panera was a bit munch, it quickly stopped.
There’s no perfect “allowance” amount for college students, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t matter how much you have if you don’t know how to manage it.
- Riding the campus e-bike for $1/min every day adds up. So do $5 coffee drinks twice a day. Are you tracking your spending?
- If your debit card gets lost or your banking app locks you out, do you know your login? Or is Face ID your only lifeline?
- Are you wise to scams? No, the IRS is not texting you. Neither is UPS. You did not win a free iPhone.
Family Check-Ins: From Roommate to Distant Pen Pal?
It never ceases to amaze me how many students I work with get multiple check-in texts from family every single day. Honestly, it seems like a bit much to me—but hey, to each their own. For us, keeping our Snapchat streak alive and a phone call every couple of weeks does the trick.
How often do you expect to check in? Daily texts? Weekly calls? Random memes?
- If you’re used to seeing each other in passing around the house, you might need to be a little more intentional now.
- Pro tip: Share your class schedule so no one panics when you don’t respond immediately. Set a check-in time if needed—even if it’s just a “still alive 👍” once a week.
Final Thoughts
Each one of these categories probably deserves its own blog post (and hey—I might just write them). But if this post got you or your student thinking, then I’ve done my job. Because the truth is, college is more than class schedules and textbooks. It’s about managing a life—your life—and realizing just how many little things go into making it run smoothly.
So what other “wait, I have to think about that now?” situations have come up already—or are you bracing for?
Let me know in the comments or send me your best “adulting fail” stories. We’ve all been there.
This process can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Whether you’re a student navigating your first year or a parent trying to support from afar, feel free to reach out with questions. 💬
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