Thanks to the quarter system, we are nearing the halfway point in our ‘semester.’ Midterms are coming, your parents are beginning to miss you, and more than likely, you have burned through your Winter Quarter allowance five weeks too early. Not surprisingly, the ‘rents may be planning a much needed visit to curb your homesickness and aide your broken wallet. Still, the moment your mama mentions her plans, you feel your stomach begin to churn, for there is much you will need to prove (i.e. that their money isn’t being wasted & you actually have your life together). In addition, you need to figure out how to squeeze the most out of their trip (wallet) while they are here (’cause you know, #BrokeStudent). But worry no more, yours truly has your back with 8 things to do when your parents come to visit:
1. First, make sure your dorm room is clean and that your roomies are prepared for the arrival of your parents just as much as you are.
2. Show them the library and your study spot (if you don’t have a spot, make one up). In fact, if you have time to prepare, go down to Richardson Library beforehand and become acquainted with Angela, one of the librarians, so that when you walk in, you can greet each other– letting your parents know just how much time you spend there.
3. Take a trip downtown and show off your skills on navigating through the CTA and Chicago. (Make sure that you know where you are taking them, so when Google Maps Walking Directions fail, you aren’t knocked off your game).
4. While making conversation, be sure to drop hints on ways you protect yourself while exploring the city to calm their worries. (Like how you always have a travel buddy and text your roommate the locations you are going to if you have to go alone).
5. Suggest inviting your friends to dinner with you parents. That way they can get to know who your new friends are, and your friends can get a free meal (ya gotta help a sista out). Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s would be great places to go for delicious pizza and an authentic taste of what Chicago is all about. (Just don’t mention how often you and your friends actually eat here).
6. Afterwards, make sure to stop by one of Chicago’s many unique bakeries for a sweet treat. I suggest Sprinkle’s Cupcakes, Amorino Chicago, Stan’s Donuts, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate or Sweet Mandy B’s.
7. While wandering the city, show your parents the places you frequently go, especially where you go to get your groceries. While there, casually mention that you are running low on yogurt, popcorn and Diet Coke (hint hint, nudge nudge).
8. Finally, make sure to catch up with your parents and enjoy the time you have with them. No matter how annoying they may be, they miss you and you miss them. (And make sure to take a selfie.. ‘cause if their visit isn’t on Snapchat, did it even happen?)