17 Things Every College Freshman Needs To Know Before Heading Off To Campus

Parents should impart as much wisdom on their kids as they can — even the things that seem obvious. For example, when I was a freshman, I didn't know that juice needed to be refrigerated since it's initially not sold in the refrigerated section. That's how I accidentally drank moldy apple juice during my first year of college. Sadly, we can't know what we've never been taught.

Money is a huge thing for college kids to wrap their minds around. Maybe they're taking out loans, getting their first credit card, and learning how to budget. Try to set them up with the basics so they understand how loan interest works, how to build credit responsibly, and how to stretch their funds each semester.

Prior to leaving for school, parents should take time to talk to their teens about uncomfortable topics like drugs, alcohol, and sex. Prepare them to deal with those things safely.

Make sure they know where they can get Narcan if they need it for their friends, make sure they understand that alcohol and prescription drugs can't be mixed, make sure they understand that consent is "yes means yes" and that people who are intoxicated can't really give proper consent.

They're tough subjects, but so important.

Every college kid could use a simple tool box and a first aid kit. A hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, and band-aids. These are the kinds of things we don't need until we really do, and it's nice to be prepared for any unexpected moments.

As TikToker @skzzolno pointed out in a video, for many girls, being gifted a pink toolbox is a rite of passage — we're all bonded by our matching sets.

Plus, these kits will last students well into adulthood.

College can be expensive, so taking advantage of everything the campus offers is the best way to get our money's worth. Many colleges offer counseling, health care services, on-campus gyms, and exercise classes. Find out what's available, and make use of it. In the real world, all of that adds up quickly — so getting it for "free" is nice.

More from LittleThings: College Student Takes A Plane To Get To Class Because It's Cheaper Than Paying Rent

For the teens who haven't cooked much before heading off on their own, the 5 Ingredient College Cookbook is a fun way to inspire meals that don't require a ton of expertise. Additionally, an air fryer is a great dorm room cooking tool that can make a variety of foods.

For college freshmen who have never really had to be in charge of the grocery list, practice with them before they go so they know how to spot good deals, which store brand items are just as good as the name brand, and so on. Also, if they shop for groceries off campus, things will likely be cheaper. This may be a good time for them to get a Costco membership or something similar.

Turning 18 comes with a major responsibility: voting. Students should make a voting plan and register either in their home state and ask for a mail-in ballot, or register in the state where they go to school and head to the polls there.

Either way, it's an experience that shouldn't be overlooked even if they're busy getting settled in — and registration deadlines come up quickly in some states.

We need to make sure our kiddos can do laundry before they leave the nest, and we should know that the way we teach them is the way they'll do it forever … so no pressure.

If kids don't know better, they'll throw everything into one load and stain everything or shrink things. Make sure the teen has enough sheet sets that even if they miss a wash, they can — at the least — put a fresh set on while the other is dirty.

Not only are noise canceling headphones helpful for dealing with loud roommates, they can just help with the general overstimulation that college campuses can foster. There are people everywhere, all the time, and they're often noisy. Even if there's nowhere to physically retreat to, the students can escape into a somewhat quieter headspace with some good headphones.

For kids who aren't used to sharing a room pre-college, having a roommate can be an adjustment. Nobody has to be besties with their roommate, but being courteous makes the living situation tolerable. Don't set super loud alarms, ask before inviting a bunch of people over, and keep the space tidy.

College is essentially just a practice session for real life, and students should take it seriously. Sure, not all classes may take attendance, but that's not an excuse to skip. Students need to show up and get the education that's being paid for — otherwise they're just shortchanging themselves. Additionally, don't spend all the nights and weekends out and partying. Get work done, learn things, prepare for a real career.

College gives back what students give to it — so it's really up to them to make the most of the experience.

Even for teens who don't feel like they need help with the actual classwork, office hours with their professors can still be valuable. One day they may need a letter of recommendation, and it's hard for a professor to write one for a student they've never really interacted with.

There's no getting around it: dorms are usually pretty gross. Encourage your kid to wear shower shoes in the bathrooms to avoid getting foot fungus. Also, remind them that cleaning up their food will make it less likely they'll deal with cockroaches or mice — I had both, because my roommate was a slob. Gifting teens a cleaning basket with wipes, sprays, and maybe a stick vacuum would go a long way.

Getting to know at least one person from every class means that even if a student does need to miss a day, they have someone they can borrow notes from. Plus, if the teacher ever assigns a group project, there's a built-in partner already there who can be trusted.

Especially for students going to school out of state, once the initial excitement wears off, homesickness can set in really quickly. Before leaving them to get settled in for the school year, parents can have a conversation about when they'll come home next. Maybe fly them home for a random weekend in October or make sure they know they can come back for Thanksgiving.

Just a little something for them to look forward to when things inevitably get tough.

College kids often want to portray that they're super independent, but make sure they know that at the end of the day you're there for them. If they have a dumb question about cleaning or just want to vent, they can always call. And if they're close enough to visit, the washer and dryer are always open for them — just like our hearts.