Any parent with a child moving away from home is going to be nervous about sending them out on their own. You’re going to want to help them wherever you can, and in those few days when you’re both in town there is quite a lot to sort out, so help will be needed.

Parent accommodation:

Make sure that is booked long before O-Week begins, preferably as soon as your child has decided for definite they are going to Rhodes. There is limited accommodation, and prices soar and locations become more distant the closer it is to O-Week.

You can find accommodation to fit a range of price brackets on websites like GrahamstownAccommodation.co.za and SafariNow.

To do in Grahamstown:

Shopping:

If you have a big car you can get some shopping basics at home and avoid the extremely busy shops during O-week. But you don’t need t pack everything and the kitchen sink because, though small, Grahamstown has pretty much everything at the modest Peppergrove Mall and High street stretch.

Clothing:

Don’t only pack summer clothing because it is a summer term. As is too-oft, Grahsmtown can see four seasons in one day – and it’s true. February can be extremely hot, so if you have the budget, invest in a fan for res. Heaters are provided in the rooms for winter.

Get involved:

Go to parents’ orientation, take a campus tour, and attend the socially-awkward jazz evening. You will be grateful you did all these things when your child refers to a particular part of campus and you know exactly where they are talking about. The talk by the Vice-Chancellor is always interesting, especially when he brags about the amazing pass rates. You can repeat these stats to everyone, I know my mom does.

See their accommodation:

And help them move in, but don’t do it for them. Seeing it will be comforting because you can see res isn’t all that bad, and you can also see if there are any other essentials the room will need before you leave.

Improve skills sets:

Make sure your newly-independent child knows how to use the washing machines in the laudry rooms and which slot to put the soap in. Let them know which clothes can and can’t be tumble dried. This sounds obvious, but a little demo will save a laborious and lost-in-translation phone conversation when someone is down to their last pair of clean socks.

See the sights:

Grahamstown is an old town with a rich history and many things to do and see. Make use of your time there and get familiar with some local history. A great way to do this is to visit the Observatory Museum which offers 360 degree views of the town. The 1820s Settlers Monument and the Grahamstown Cathedral are also worth a visit.

Eat out:

Take your child for a last memorable meal before you leave, preferably to a restaurant they could never afford to eat at on a student budget.

Leaving time:

Though it is sad, and your child (probably) won’t want you to go, make sure you leave by that Tuesday. It is important that they build bonds with fellow students and don’t have you as a safety blanket for O-Week; this won’t benefit them in the long run. So, steel yourself, big hug and remember you are only a Skype call away.