If your child is heading to FSU in the fall, what you should be doing this Spring...

   If your child is heading to FSU in the fall, Congratulations!  We should be new BFF's because we are in the same boat.  I've been interviewing friends who have walked this path ahead of us and have done some research. According to many sources, these are the things that should be on your "to do list" right now:

1. Housing: 

If you have not given a deposit, do so a.s.a.p.  The deadline for sending in your dorm and roommate choices is May 1st. Unlike giving your housing deposit, FSU has told me that the dorm choosing is not a first come, first served thing. Everyone just must have their choices in no later than May 1st, 2016. Placement is solely based on priority numbers which are based on when you signed up for housing.

If your student opts to request a specific roommate, that roommate must also request your child. Space will then be assigned based on the higher/worst contract number of the roommate pair. 

2.  Health Forms: 

Your child will need a physical form filled out that shows all immunizations. This needs to be done before orientation.

3. Insurance: 

One of my friends has advised that her health insurance was not enough for FSU. They required her to buy their insurance which was $1800 for the 2015-2016 school year. You may want to look into this so that you do not have an unplanned expense in August.

4.  Orientation:

Go to the FSU website and pick a date.  During this 2 day/2 night event, your child will sleep in the dorms.  It is mandatory for incoming freshmen, but according to my FSU mom-friends,  at least one parent should absolutely go. This program is packed with information for both parents and students and will answer most, if not all, of your questions. One of my FSU mom friend's described orientation as "fun" and she went twice! 

We were told on our tour of FSU that the earlier you go to orientation, the better because this is when you register for classes. 

You will need a hotel for you. (No dorms for parents!) Good choices in the area are Hotel Duval, Aloft Hotel and Sheraton Four Points.

5. Move in Date:

Dorm move-in date is August 24th, 2016. This corresponds with many school starting weeks for younger siblings so you may need to plan to farm them out.  This also would be a good time to book a room for yourself. Unless you live close by, you will probably need to sleep in Tallahassee for one to two nights while you assist in the  move.

If I am missing anything from this list, please let me know. We are all in this boat together. Ahoy!