Tips and Trick: 50 Tips for Parents

Ruth Lackore and her son Jason

Moms and Dads, hard to believe it but we are getting closer and closer to the final countdown. Freshman move in day is only two weeks away! Don't worry, I've got you covered. I solicited the help of people who know best how to be a great Tulane parent: Tulane parents! Here are their 50 tips for you directly from our amazing current parents.

Enjoy the incredible food in NOLA - Favorite eats for the moment (SO many!): brunch at Willa Jean; dinner at Shaya.
Always carry a small umbrella in your bag - it can downpour suddenly
Become a part of the Tulane community - it feels like a wonderful family of amazing parents, administrators, professors, and of course, students. Be on the lookout for ways to get involved. (Jennifer / Santa Monica CA / mom of Chloe '18 and Isabelle '21)
If you play an instrument, bring it with you even if you don't plan to be involved in formal music programs – there is music all over campus, students just jamming in small groups.
Purchase Kentwood Springs water for your student in their dorm room! there is a tent on the guad during move in day and if you miss it, you can call them at 504-400-5965. This was the best investment ... They need a lot of water as it's hot and it's reasonable and worth it!
Even though the move in process seems overwhelming, Tulane has one of the best move in days known! Stay if you can for the convocation..so special! (Heidi / Bethesda MD / mom of Joshua, '18)
There are no controls for the AC. My son was freezing and I needed to send him down winter pajamas, sweatpants, sweatshirts so he could survive the frigid dorm air.
My biggest worry...the hurricane threats. Dropped my son off freshman year and left him with a hurricane headed straight for NOLA! Was a great icebreaker for meeting his floormates, but after 4 years of warnings I realized this is the "Tulane Norm." Try not to worry! (Lauren / Wayne NJ / mom of Jason '17)
When it rains it pours....bring waterproof shoes.
Eat and drink your way through NOLA, and visit the sights it is best city in the world
Summertime Storage is amazing, and would recommend using them (Linda / North Woodmere NY / mom of Michael '19)
Go to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival every year with your student and make some family college memories and fall in love with New Orleans.
But ONLY go to Jazz Fest on first weekend, because second weekend interferes too much with finals studying and the kids are too tired from the first weekend! Don't forget to purchase your after show tickets and reserve your dinners after 9 pm.
Feed and meet all of their friends and enjoy the diverse and fabulous music and the unique New Orleans hospitality and culture.
Send your student a solid care package the days before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Be sure it has healthy provisions that they can enjoy as they move about during Mardi Gras or even send a tray of sandwiches, cheese/crackers, fruit and other essentials for their dorm fridge!
Rouse's Market delivers to campus! They will thank you when they are hungry and exhausted and all dining halls are closed and food is scarce...even in New Orleans! (Susan / Miami, FL / mom of Brian, '16)
If possible, out of towners can send boxes to their hotel vs campus. They will gladly store them for you and then you don’t have to wait in line on campus to get them. Just took one step out of the process and made things easier for me in particular as it was just Jonah and me on move in day. (side note- a change this year is HRL is piloting delivering your boxes to your S/Ds room before they arrive! -Jeff)
Trust the process and go random for roommates; my son didn’t hook up with a roommate in advance and he got paired with a GREAT kid from San Francisco who he has loved living with. Says he fared a lot better than many other friends who tried to manage the process.
Invest in a backpack that is truly waterproof AND has a build in cover. (not sure right wording here). Basically it is tiny, in a zipped pocket, but when its pouring NOLA style he can pull it out and cover his backpack (books and laptop) as he never has an umbrella handy.
That kid in the Tulane video who said you MUST bring a Hawaiian shirt…well we laughed at this idea and then Jonah dug one up and shoved it in his bag and said “thank god” - he wore it to tons of stuff. Apparently a ‘must have.' (Arlene / Bedford MA / mom of Jonah '19)
If your schedule permits, fly in for move in on Wednesday. Get the Bed and Bath done in a less stressful manner as you will likely go back 2 or 3 times. Use the time to get the toiletries, groceries, etc on Thursday so that move in on Friday is more calm.
On Saturday, enjoy Convocation and your kids and get out earlier on Sunday. Dragging it out doesn't help them at all. Cry at the airport!
Book your hotel and CAR early. Get a small SUV or mini van as that stuff from Bed and Bath is bulky!
Book hotel for parent's weekend early as well, if your kid wants you to be there.
Listen to the webinars that are offered from the Office of Parent Programs. They are truly informative and help provide information on things like rushing spring semester, move out in spring, etc.
Make dinner reservations...it's what everyone talks about whether you are a foodie or not. Try for Shaya as it just got the Beard Foundations "Best New Restaurant " in America (Lisa / Los Angeles / mom of Natalie, '19)
Tulane Trash for Treasures is a great way to find cheap dorm items on move in day! Go EARLY!
Attend Family Weekend (Friday night A’Cappella concert a must!)
Check out student syllabus before making flight arrangements for Thanksgiving.
If visiting, expect extra students for dinner (they are so appreciative)
You do not need a car when visiting NOLA.
Play nice on the parent Facebook page ;) Couldn’t resist….I’m 1 of the 4 admins. (Annalee, Baton Rouge, mom of Caroline, '18)
My son (his idea) wears his Tulane shirt every time he flies back to NOLA from a school break. He has always been able to find someone to share a ride back to Tulane from the airport.
We moved our son with the basic necessities and kept it very simple to accommodate the small dorm room. There was ample space and storage when we left. By the time spring came around, his dorm room was cluttered with stuff. Be aware not to over pack.
Highly recommend all parents to participate in the Parents weekend during Fall semester. Despite the pouring rain, we had a blast and enjoyed all the activities. sessions, and it was a happy reunion with our son.
Prepare your child for wet weather......shoes, raincoat, umbrella, etc....they will use it frequently! (Ruth / Nashville, TN / mom of Jason '19)
Don’t bother renting a car in New Orleans. You don’t need one. Between the streetcar, taxis, and good old fashioned walking, you can get wherever you need to go, easily and inexpensively.
We shipped most of her stuff via FedEx Ground and bought any extra items we needed at the campus store, which sells pretty much what you’d find in any Target. Honestly, it never even occurred to me to rent one on any visit. So go green, save yourself some money and skip the car rental! (Robin / NYC / Mom of Marlee '16)
My advice is coming from a parent of a kid who had a sheltered high school experience and who did not have the most successful first year. Not everyone goes and immediately fits in, has great time, and gets the college thing. Prepare your kids for that before they go. Prepare them for potential loneliness the first few weeks to the first couple of months. Prepare them to possibly screw up as far as time management goes and explain how communication with you as parents, counselors, and professors is key to making things right. Explain that while drinking is prevalent, there are other kids out there who are into hanging out and not partying - keep looking.
Finding the sweet spot of supporting while giving room to make mistakes is one of the hardest parenting maneuvers out there.
Take the Tulane Parents page with a grain of salt - not every kid is having an amazing time every moment. And that is ok. It's life. It's part of the learning process. Take a deep breath. It all works out in the end.
Frenchman Street is great spot for live music day or night.
The book, "One Dead in the Attic" helps one understand what Katrina really did and why she is forever part of NOLA now.
Anything you don't bring on move in day can be sent - no reason to panic. And that the sale of used stuff on move in day is the best thing ever (Trash to Treasure)! (Kim / Huntington Beach CA)