The days are long but the years are short. It’s an adage that speaks a giant truth. Eighteen years hardly feels like enough time before parents find themselves swapping out cribs and bottles for caps and gowns. For many, this end also marks a new beginning. Sending their beloved baby off to college for the first time.
College is an exciting new adventure for the student. It’s a time to dream, discover, and do. So much growth as an individual is done during this phase of life. The opportunity to gain a greater sense of independence while still having a lot of people look out for you is basically a golden gap between being a kid and being a “real” adult, and it’s one that you never get in life again. This freedom is an enriching experience that encourages personal development and helps a student broaden their perspectives. But this transition also comes with more responsibility, and that may include anxiety, worry, stress, and sadness. For both parent and student.
There are all sorts of books that coach you on how to survive pregnancy, delivery, post-partum, and those first few years of sleepless nights. But unfortunately, as a parent, there’s no manual that walks you through this passage of life. And there is no secret sauce that guarantees your child will find a desired field to study, be academically successful, and earn a degree. But there are certainly those who have come before you with a bit of a blueprint to help ease you through the adjustment. If you’re about to embark on this adventure for the first time, your game plan should include a conversation about communication, your child's campus involvement, academics, and time management.
Amanda McDonald, the Director of Student Success at Crown College, has found it important for students and their families to set clear, realistic expectations – academic, social, and financial. Having upfront, open, and honest conversations about these components will encourage the student to be actively engaged in their education. This is hardly a one-time conversation piece. Even though you may not be there to see them on a daily (or regular) basis like you have for the last eighteen years, it’s still important to remember that your support does not end at drop-off. Communication throughout the semester is still critical. Find ways in which your child responds best, and even if it’s outside your comfort zone, meet them where they are.
One of the most important things that will enhance a student’s college experience is their connection on campus. Getting involved in activities, clubs, sports, or faith groups carries a significant role in their mental health. Having a social group, people with shared interests, and trusted friends help all of us find our place. Feeling comfortable, safe, and secure are huge markers for success. They tend to create a space that allows your child to feel motivated, seen, heard, and supported.
“Understanding the social landscape of the institution is vital,” says Amanda. “Finding friends and groups is imperative to a sense of belonging.”
Good time management might not be something your child is very familiar with. They may not have had a lot of autonomy in high school to create a routine that allowed them to have complete control of how they spent their time or how much they studied. When a student understands an assignment’s time commitment and identifies a consistent place to study, they are more likely to be successful. College coursework is more challenging, and this change can be overwhelming. Time management is especially important on the financial side of things if they need to keep up their grades to maintain a scholarship or balance a part-time job. Encourage your child to take advantage of their campus resources, faculty, advisors, teaching assistants, or tutors. These are people who want to contribute to their academic success. It’s why they’re there!
Focusing on these areas will pave a smoother path, and students can navigate the new transition more confidently, making the most of both the academic and social opportunities that come with this exciting chapter in their story. And as a parent who sent my oldest off to college last summer for the first time, I can assure you that this big change will also be a part of your story. Except you’ll likely be getting more sleep this time around! crown.edu