Recently I wrote a column where I shared ideas to smooth the transition to college for first-timers. I received a lot of response from parents and students.

Here are some additional suggestions:

• Don’t go home. At least try to make a commitment not to go home until November. I know sticking it out until Thanksgiving sounds like a long time, but staying on campus, even when you don’t want to, will force you to face and likely overcome some of the adjustment challenges.

• Be careful of “staking claim” on the better bed or the better room if you’re in a suite. Lots of people do it; they arrive super early and seize ownership. Think about how it feels to be the second, third or fourth roommate to arrive and recognize that you got stuck with the worst option.

• Let Mom make the bed! Most moms will want to; it’s a bit of an uncelebrated milestone — the “last time” Mom will make your bed.

• Eat with your roommates that first night. Even if you have high school friends in other dorms, hold off on getting together with them. The most important thing is to establish relationships with your roommates.

• Set the ground rules at the start. Discuss how you will handle altercations; your preferred sleeping schedules; tastes in music; quirks and pet peeves; need for cleanliness; preferences for sharing food, clothes, toiletry items, etc.