Whether it’s your firstborn or the last little bird to leave your nest, sending a child off to college can be an emotional roller coaster. You’re proud of them and excited for their future, but as a parent, you still worry about their well-being. Fortunately, you can calm many of those fears by equipping your college student with the right know-how and tech to keep them safe on campus and successful in their classes.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite products that will set your student up for success and help ease your mind while they’re away.

SAFETY ESSENTIALS

It doesn’t matter how old your child gets, you still want to protect them. Even though you can’t be there for every step they take on campus, you can extend your parental care by outfitting them with gadgets that put safety front and center.

Personal Alarm: Your college student will be on the go at all hours. Make sure they stay safe anywhere on campus with a wearable personal alarm like the Vigilant Hands Free Personal Alarm.

This discreet device is worn like a watch, and one touch triggers a loud alarm that an attacker cannot disarm. With a full battery, the alarm can blast continually for up to half an hour, which is plenty of time to scare off a criminal and alert nearby people that your student needs help.

Laptop Lock: Make sure nobody is able to walk away with your student’s laptop by including the Bodyguard Combination Lock Security Cable on your college supply list. This sturdy lock is easy for your student to use and difficult for a thief to crack.

The cable is six feet long, so it won’t restrict use, and the lock offers 10,000 different code combinations. This security is exactly what your student needs during marathon study sessions in the library. Now they can refill their coffee or head to the restroom without having to pack up their laptop every time.

REASSURING APPS

You don’t need to look any further than your smartphone or tablet for reassurance and peace of mind while you and your child adjust to the new normal of college life. These are some of the best apps to help ease the college transition for both of you.

Skype: There’s nothing like seeing your student face-to-face, and this video call app lets you connect via phone, tablet, or computer as often as you like. Skype is available for free download and offers instant messaging in addition to video calls.

Ease homesickness and help your student feel connected to what’s happening at home by scheduling regular video calls. If there’s a special occasion that your student can’t make it home for, you can set up a group video call so they won’t miss any important moments while they pursue their education.

DriveScribe App: Putting your student behind the wheel in their hometown is scary enough, but imagining them on unfamiliar roads in their new college town can leave you with new levels of anxiety. If they plan to take a car to college, help them stay safe on the road with the DriveScribe App for iOS and Android.

This driving coach app keeps tabs on speed and automatically sends replies to any texts received while behind the wheel. Plus, it rewards your student for safe driving with points that they can cash in for gift cards to their favorite store or burger joint.

DORM LIFE

Moving away from home and into a college dorm requires a few essentials you don’t want your student to live without. Make sure their new place feels comfortable by packing in these must-have dorm room items.

Noise-Canceling Headphones: Studying is priority number one, but it’s not always easy with roommates and friends coming and going. With noise-cancelling headphones like the BOHM B66 Wireless Headphones, your student can create a peaceful study environment right in the middle of all that dorm-room chaos. These get the job done and are compatible with the latest iPhone that dropped the headphone jack. To top it all off, they look cool.

Mattress Topper: When your kid moves into a dorm, the bed is just about their only piece of furniture, and they need it to be comfortable. Don’t settle for the mattress provided in the room—adding a mattress topper helps ensure your student gets the good sleep they need to rock their first year of college. Check out this 6" Twin XL Dorm Bedding Topper from DormCo.com. It’s plush, soft, hypoallergenic, and designed to perfectly fit a dorm bed.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When a child goes off to college, it’s exciting, but it can also be a tough adjustment. Help ease the transition by knowing you’ve done everything you can to help keep them safe and comfy when you can’t be there. Providing them with products to enhance their safety and comfort and using apps to stay in touch will help both of you enter this new phase with confidence.