Off-to-College Checklist

For Parents

• Set up a checking or savings account that can be accessed from school
• Locate in-network physicians close to your child's school
• Ensure your child has a health insurance card
• Change your voter registration, or file for an absentee ballot
• Mark important school dates, vacation periods and tuition due dates on your calendar
• Make travel and hotel arrangements for school events
  
• Ensure your child’s cell phone will work at school

For Students

• Call your roommate to discuss what each of you is bringing so you don't duplicate items
• Find out what types of electronics are allowed in your living quarters
• Notify your car insurance company that you are relocating
• Register your bike and computer with campus securityOther things you may need:
• Quarters for laundry, shower caddy/shower shoes, ear plugs, wireless-enabled laptop and small printer, flash/jump drive, extension cords, poster putty and removable hooks

Care Packages

• Favorite foods (baked goods, homemade candies, etc.)
• Family photos and lettersMusic (CDs or music gift cards)
• Holiday-related items (small decorations, food, etc.)
• Stress-relief items (stress balls, lotion, movie passes, etc.)
• Gift cards for food and clothing

High School Checklist

For Parents

• Notify the school nurse of any medications your child takes regularly and of his or her allergies
• Mark important school events, including practice schedules, on your calendar
• Consider joining a parent organizationLearn when class and team pictures are scheduled, and plan for haircuts and clothing accordingly
• Sign up your child for ACT and/or SAT preparation courses before or during junior year
• Talk to your child about college and his or her hopes and dreams for the future

For Students

• Equipment and uniforms for extracurricular and athletic activities
• Reference books (foreign language dictionary, style and grammar guides, etc.)
• Planner
• Hand sanitizer
• Locker organizers and magnets
• Combination locks
• Flash/jump drive
• Scientific calculator
• Computer ink and printer paper for home

Looking Ahead

• Keep building your resume with extracurricular activities, volunteerism and leadership roles at school and in your community
• Look at lists of college majors to see what interests you, and take a free online career assessment test
  
• Attend college open houses
• Talk to a military recruiter to determine if military service is an optionSearch the Internet for college and career information, and check out scholarship books to learn what scholarships might be available

Back-to-School Checklists

There is a lot to think about when preparing your child for a new school year. These checklists and safety tips may be helpful for elementary, high school and college-bound students and parents.

Elementary School Checklist

For Parents

• Prepay for school lunches
• Create a carpooling schedule
• Know your child's bus scheduleArrange for after-school care
• Mark important school dates on your calendar
• Fill out the school's emergency contact forms
• Notify the school nurse of any medications your child takes regularly and of his or her allergies
• Get a calendar of PTA meeting and events
  
• Enroll your child in extracurricular activities (sports, music and dance lessons, tutoring, etc.)
  

Safety Tips

• Consider giving your child a cell phone to carry only for emergencies, and program it with emergency contacts
• Put an emergency contact form in your child’s book bag
• Make sure your child knows your phone number, home address and place of workIf needed, make arrangements with an older neighborhood child to walk your child home from school
• Do not write or monogram your child’s name on his or her book bag for strangers to read
• Ensure your child knows proper bike safety and always wears a helmet while riding
• Ensure your child knows what to do if approached by a stranger
  
• Make sure your child knows never to walk behind a school bus