tertiary education*
Time to let
GO
IT’S TIME FOR YOUR YOUNG ADULT TO LEAVE HOME AND HEAD OFF TO UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE. THEY’LL BE FINE … HOW ABOUT YOU?
I
story anne schauffer
t’s often tougher for parents than it is for the student. Empty nest syndrome can be real and ugly for some, while for young people there’s the promise of a wonderful adventure ahead. Don’t fuss. Your anxiety about their departure can unintentionally transfer to them, not something you want. This is their time, and whether it’s your exuberance around “decorating” their res room, or a long list of Dos and Don’ts
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About Life with which you bombard them – remember, this is what you’ve prepared them for: adulthood, decisionmaking, independence, and a host of other attributes. And if it’s to be, let them make mistakes in this controlled environment. You can’t control it all. One piece of advice for those who are working hard to replicate home in your teen’s new environment, don’t overdo it. Keep it real. Whether your son or daughter is going into a university residence, a private student res or digs, don’t create what you think they’d like. Let them inject their own personality into their space. It really doesn’t need to look like a film set on day one. Let it develop over time, in their time. Julie Simpson’s daughter is heading to Stellenbosch University from Durban. Julie recognises that as a mom, it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of it all, and wants to create a homeaway-from-home nest: “I’m trying to reign myself in, and follow my ‘student’s’ lead ... within reason of course. I do think one mustn’t forget it’s a student room and not a decor spread. If it’s too perfect, they may feel too uncomfortable to study, relax and party in there. There are so many clever decor budget options to create a quirky space that’s not wasteful or over the top. The expression ‘less is more’ comes to mind, particularly after this difficult year ...”
There are so many clever decor budget options to create a quirky space that’s not wasteful or over the top” If your child isn’t eligible for onsite university campus accommodation, you’ll have combed through the many off-campus options. Budget plays a major role of course, and you’ll have scrutinised the trade-off between X which
w w w . t h e c r e s t o n l i n e . c o . z a
offers a laundry service, and Y which offers stable Wi-Fi. With nationwide brands like CampusKey Student Living, the choices are wide. They offer everything from furnished single en suite rooms with kitchen, through to communal style living where four to 10 people have their own bedrooms, but share a bathroom and kitchen. As a parent, what are your priorities? Speaking to mums in particular, primary concerns are around a very secure environment conducive to study and healthy social interaction, with easy and safe access to the university campus. Take
