How Is Your Student Getting Home for the Holidays?
As your student wraps up coursework and exams on campus, she may forget an important task: making arrangements to get home for the holiday break. Oops! You can be really helpful to your student, as long as your reminders and concerns don't become added stress on your student's already overflowing plate.
Here's how you can help:

If you need to pick up your student:

• Ask your student when he is planning on coming home (keep in mind that this may change based on academic commitments; let your student know your level of flexibility up front).
  
• Find out when would be a good time to arrive (remind him to check the school's policy on the time he is required to be out of the residence hall).
  
• Try to determine how much stuff your student plans on bringing home, so you can plan accordingly.
  
• Stay in touch with your student throughout finals in case plans change — on your end or his — and try to be as adjustable and understanding as possible. 
  
• If something happens and you can't get to your student prior to the time he is required to be out of the residence hall – don't panic! Encourage your student to find out what plans are in place on campus for students in this situation.
  If your student doesn't need you to pick her up:
  
• Ask your student when she is planning on coming home and how she is planning on getting there.
  
• If she will be utilizing public transportation, remind her to check schedules before she leaves in case there are any last minute changes. Also, gently remind her to be safe.
  
• If she will be driving herself or driving with friends, remind her to be careful and make smart decisions based on weather (if this is a concern). Let her know how you can help, if you can, and remind her that safety is more important than rushing home.
  
• Help her figure out the "stuff" transfer, whether it's getting holiday presents home or figuring out how to get items back to school in January.
  

No matter how your student is planning on getting home, this is a great opportunity for you to provide support as he makes these decisions for himself. He'll learn a great deal by taking responsibility for his travels. But don't be afraid to offer suggestions if he asks for help too.