College Prep:
Building Independence Before
BY MADELINE PISTORIUS | PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM Move-In Day
A time comes when parents not-so-little kid pulls out of the driveway of their childhood home, car packed to the brim, heading towards a new stage of life. The dorm room door shuts. The rearview mirror no longer reflects home. And just like that, in these moments, independence begins. I know that moment well—I’ve lived it myself. And as a first-year college student, I unload boxes into dorm rooms or wave goodbye as their
SMART MONEY HABITS There’s a difference between purchasing things they want versus what they truly need. Establishing a form of income, like a part- time job or monthly allowance for expenses like groceries, social life, and personal needs, and creating—and sticking to—a budget is necessary. TIME ACCOUNTABILITY The world of relying on a parent’s wake-up call is no longer. The first step to success is
quickly learned that the biggest challenges weren’t just lectures and exams, but the life skills and responsibilities that suddenly became my own. From managing money and time to maintaining communication and well-being, independence requires preparation before a student’s move-in day. While parents may only be a phone call away, learning how to navigate these responsibilities helps set the foundation for adulthood.
28 APRIL 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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