From High School to Uni: The Essential Student’s Guide to Moving into University is a step-by-step guide to help parents and students navigate the transition from high school to university. Why was this an important book for you to write?

When my first child was graduating from high school and preparing to set off to university, she was excited, nervous, and curious about what university life would be like.  We began searching for guidance on how to prepare, both logistically and mentally, for this new adult stage of life, and it made me realize that no practical topics are taught at school, such as how to create and manage a budget, how to plan personal nutrition, how to shop for food and cook, how to sew on a button, iron a shirt, and do laundry—all the things one needs to know when becoming an adult and beginning independence away from home.  It made me want to help others, and I wanted to write a book that would offer practical advice, useful tips, and personal insights to help parents and teens prepare for this new adventure and make the most of it. 

There are many parenting and student forums on the Internet with tons of personal advice from well-meaning people, but there is no one-stop shop giving an A-Z guide on what to do, when, how, and why.  I noted every step of my children’s installations in and out of universities in England, France, and Switzerland, made checklists and templates, and built this into a step-by-step guide to help students and parents navigate their own journey. 

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The ideas I wanted to capture were practical tips that a parent may not think about or have time to teach their teen before they leave home, such as:

• How to manage your finances, pay bills, select utility providers;
• How to pack and set up your dorm or apartment
• How to deal with room-mates and landlords, negotiate a lease/rental agreement, and associated responsibilities;
• How to manage your mental health, studies and social life
• How to shop with a student budget, efficiently store food within student quarters, meal prep, and maintain a balanced diet.
• And laundry—not just HOW to do it, but when (there is a secret to this!).

What is one piece of advice you would want to give parents entering this stage of life before sending their child off into the world?

While From High School to Uni speaks to students, I actually wrote it with parents in mind. Let’s face it, your teen has just gone through an intense period of cramming for exams and is just looking forward to enjoying a summer of freedom before taking up serious studies again and potentially moving to another country or part of the country. They are not thinking about how they will survive and thrive in a new environment.  But parents are more inclined to think ahead, so this book is for parents to read too.  Forewarned is forearmed, I always say.  If you know what to expect, you are better prepared, less stressed, can plan efficiently in advance, spread the cost of buying items for college across several months to help you budget effectively, and ease into the transition serenely. 

One piece of advice I would want to give parents entering this stage of life is to trust their children and support them in their choices. Going to university is a big step for both the child and the parent, and it can be hard to let go and let them grow. But it’s also an exciting time for them to discover themselves, learn new things, and pursue their dreams. As a parent, you can help them by being supportive, encouraging, respectful, and understanding. You can also stay in touch with them regularly, but not too much. Give them space and freedom to explore their new environment, but also let them know that you’re always there for them if they need you (and not just when they need a budget top-up!).

What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?

To be honest, I didn’t expect to write this with a successful publication in mind, so my goals were just to write in a clear, concise, pragmatic, and engaging way that would be appealing to both teenagers and parents.  I felt like my anecdotes would be relatable, illustrate my points, and enable readers to connect well. I also have a passion for helping people, and if I have done the work so you don’t have to, why not benefit from my experience?

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