Off To College

Moms and Dads nationwide simultaneously revel in this day and dread it. This is the big day when their little boy or girl, no longer a child has graduated through all of the levels of public schooling, adolescence and teenage years to finally make their way on their own to college, leaving home for the collegiate experience.

University can be scary, but also incredibly exciting as most starting their freshman year only four years away from their first real career and paycheck, and also finally about to get a taste of coveted independence, adult treatment and the opportunity to be out on their own in the world. In those days we all thought we knew everything when we were that age, our children have followed in our footsteps and think the same, and this cycle will continue with each and every generation.

While the newly crowned adult set off on the adventure before them there are a few tips and hopefully well taken pieces of advice you, dutiful parents, might want to instill in them before the door closes behind them.

No one wants to imagine that when their child heads off to school, along with all the other fears and crazy thoughts of what might occur, that crime could play a factor in the university experience but it can and with these few simple, but heeded lessons you might just be able to make sure that this regrettable occurrence avoids them altogether.

Whether living in a dormitory or off campus apartment special attention by the new student should be given to their new home and the security devices that come with it. To be certain they are excited, scared (but they won't usually tell Mom and Dad that) and overwhelmed by their new surroundings. This can cause them to forget about locking doors and shutting windows when they leave for classes. They should also pay special attention to those who are in the building that perhaps should not be and alert others, or building security if they notice someone or something out of the ordinary.

Keys must also be thought about as many a busy, but usually absent minded undergrad has left them in locks they were turning, dropped in cafeterias or class or just plain lost.

It is easy in the college town for someone to follow the person who lost them home and when the time is right, burglarize the room or apartment.

Many college students don't have the luxury of a new car, equipped with the latest in theft prevention but there are portable locking devices that are available for use that lock the steering wheel column and separately installed alarm systems are available for install that will help aid in security of their vehicle while away from home. Also, tell them to always keep any valuables in a car out of site to not entice any budding car thieves in the area.

Starting a life away from home represents freedom, but it is always wise to get a head start and teach your children ways to keep secure and the signs of what to look for that might be cause for alarm.

These college years are meant to be educational, informative and fun and a few easy steps can help them to be that way.