Students starting university this year might have had something of a hard time. The initial A-Level results threw many of them into a tailspin, with missing university places making things difficult. Although the results were changed, many students have still missed out on their preferred universities, and might now be looking at backup choices or even going through clearing. With so much turbulence, starting university might be more stressful than ever this year. It can always be nerve-wracking, but this year you might be even more concerned with helping your teen to settle in. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help.

Help with Budgeting

One of the most important skills that students need to learn at university is managing their money. They need to be able to pay for their accommodation, food, transport, and they’ll want to have some cash for fun stuff too. Although many student bank accounts include an overdraft, encouraging them to budget well and avoid using it as much as possible is important. They should know that an overdraft isn’t just free money, and they need to be able to budget well to avoid leaving university with debt. You might want to sit down with your teen and talk about budgeting.

Find the Perfect Place to Live

Most first-year university students choose to stay in student accommodation provided by the university or sometimes private halls. This can make the transition to university a little easier and give them a chance to meet people. After their first year, many will then choose to get together with a group of others in a student flat or house. Your teen might prefer private halls like the student accommodation at the University of Coventry, allowing them to choose the exact location of their accommodation. Choosing university halls usually means having a little less control over when you live.

Encourage Job Seeking

A lot of students will need to get a job, either during term time or in the holidays, to help support their studies. Although you might be able to help them a little, you might not be able to stretch your finances enough to support them entirely, even with the help of their maintenance loan. Looking for work early is important, as there will be a lot of other students trying to find work. If you want to be encouraging, make sure you’re up to date on the state of the student job market.

Offer Support, But Leave Them to It

It can be tough to know how much support to offer your child as they start university. How long should you stick around after you drop them off? While you should be there for them if you need to, you also need to leave them to get on with things. It’s a time when they’re stretching their wings and learning to live independently, so give them the space to grow while letting them know you’re available if they need you.

Transitioning to university can have its difficulties, but it can also be a great adventure. Offer your help and support, but allow your teenager to find their own way too.