Tips for New College Parents
- Talk to your student about study habits and skills. Bright students who are not used to studying can find college coursework to be a challenge.
- Don’t be surprised if your student needs extra help in college. Urge your student to take advantage of campus services. Many students simply need a nudge to seek help.
- Have a conversation with your student to define a few reasonable goals for his or her first year of college.
- Encourage your student to get involved on campus. This may include a campus job, participation in a student organization, or attending athletic or fine arts events. A common misconception is that co-curricular activities are time-intensive, when in fact they actually force students to better manage their time. Plus, they help students establish valuable social support networks.
- Open the lines of communications with your student. Listen and find out what new experiences they are having in college and what they have learned from these experiences. But remember: they will also need space to try new things on their own.
- Help your student learn time management. A planner is a must-have item.
- Send your student packages in the mail (food and money are great).
- Encourage your student to eat healthy foods and get plenty of sleep.
- Stay calm. One bad semester does not define your student or his/her future. (A bad year is another story)
- Teach your student self management skills (laundry, cooking, how to manage illness, etc.)