L et’s skip to what’s most important—right past why they chose Georgia College, what clubs they’re interested in and what careers loom in their futures.

How will incoming students deal with homesickness?

Will parents redecorate their rooms at home?

For these and other essentials—read on.

Michael Gomez plans to deal with homesickness by not going home. And he means it. His first visit with mom and dad back in Peachtree City is TBD (To Be Determined). Meanwhile, Tracey, his mother, plans to work more hours as a nurse, so she doesn’t miss Michael so much.

Will she repurpose his room at home? Michael nods a definitive NO. But mom said his room needs cleaning, painting and remodeling. She won’t miss his “mess.”

They plan to stay in touch regularly by text. Michael said he’ll miss his mom’s eggs in the morning and somewhat miss their mutt, Kiki, who’s gotten on his nerves lately.

The coolest thing he’s bringing to his dorm room is his PC for gaming.

Mom’s best parting parental advice: “Follow the rules. MY rules.”

Good luck with that, Michael.

Lori Eberly is a middle child of 10 and not leaving behind too empty of a nest. Her dad, Eldon, will miss her but after the first few leave, he said, “you kind of get used to it.”

Lori will call her family and visit often to deal with homesickness. Some things she’ll miss the most—her dad “grills a pretty good steak” and her black lab, Ebony, flops over when she wants a belly scratch.

Lori hasn’t gone shopping for her dorm room yet but hopes to get some cool posters and light-up signs. There’ll be no repurposing this young woman’s room at home. Dad said they’ll “keep it the same.”

His best parting advice: “Just keep on being herself, and she’ll be fine.”

Aw.

Caitlin McGarvey plans to fill her time with friends, studying and not focusing on home. Otherwise … her voice cracks just a little and trails off.

Her mom, Suzie, will focus on “all the kind and caring adults” she’s met at Georgia College who’ll take care of her baby. Repurpose her room? “Absolutely not! It’ll be a shrine forever!” mom said.

McGarvey will miss taco night at home and several older pets: Buddy, a goldendoodle; Tigger, a spaniel; and Pip, her cat. She’s quick to pull out pictures of the furry crew and said she doesn’t know how she’ll survive without them.

Mom won’t miss trying to get her daughter up in the mornings. She tells Caitlin not to come home too soon. Take time to adjust.

More motherly advice? “Just be yourself, because you’re an amazing person.”

Tissue, please.

For Nate Sullivano, homesickness is just something he’ll have to deal with. Still, it’s hard to let go.  His dad, Brian, said they’ll be coming to campus often to visit.

Nate doesn’t have any cool stuff for his dorm room yet—beyond a fan or fridge. Then, he reveals he plays guitar. That’s cool.

His room at home won’t change much—beyond the color from cream to gray.

He’s a taco lover, too, and will miss those homecooked meals. Nate will also be thinking of his two dogs, mixed breeds Kona and Yeti. Kona makes unusual noises that aren’t quite howls, while Yeti likes to snuggle and stretch out like Superman.

Mom won’t miss not being able to find her son’s bedroom floor. But she’ll miss everything else.

Dad’s parting advice: Persevere. Mom’s reminder: Be kind and friendly.

And who can argue with that?