Our Top Tips for Parents of New College Students

Often, the advice for parents of college students is designed to help students succeed, ensuring parents can give ample support. Plus, it allows parents to embrace their new paradigm, whether that means having one less student at home or an entirely empty nest.

Here are our top tips for parents of college students that can get you on the right track.

1. Prepare to Help Them Navigate Academic Challenges

College is vastly different from high school for several reasons. First, parents aren’t overseeing all of their students’ activities, so there may be less external motivation to push them to handle their responsibilities. Often, this is the first time a student has this degree of independence, and there will be hiccups along the way.

Second, college courses often move at a much faster pace, and while professors are accessible in some cases, they aren’t available to the same degree as high school teachers. As a result, students may not know where to turn if they’re struggling academically. An academic advisor can play a crucial role in helping students with course selections and other academic issues.

If you want to support your student, help them explore the various resources at their disposal. Remind them that tutors, study groups, writing centers, and similar options are available. Additionally, academic support services on campus are essential for helping students manage the increased workload and navigate academic challenges effectively. Encourage them to turn to the syllabus and to even make copies that they can keep on their desks. That way, that touchstone is always available.

Many parents want to talk to their students regularly after they head to college. However, one crucial piece of advice for parents of college students is to remember that students are often incredibly busy. Along with their studying and classes, they may have a job. Plus, they might sign up for extracurricular activities. Engaging in campus life helps students build a support network and manage their busy schedules. Maintaining a social circle also takes time, and it’s vital to have local support.

If you want to talk to your student, discuss a check-in schedule with them. Listen to the demands on their time, and see what works for their schedule. That way, you can catch up without the calls seeming overly disruptive. Students need a reduced frequency of contact with family to encourage their individuation, so finding a balance is key.

A critical piece of advice to parents of college students is to remain supportive if your student decides to shift course and change majors. Did you know eighty percent of students choose a new major at least once, and many will do so several times over the course of their academic careers.

What’s important is for your student to find a subject that genuinely ignites their passion. By doing so, their odds of career success are much higher. Career advising services play a crucial role in helping students align their educational journey with their future goals. Part of the college experience is exploration, and there’s a good chance they’ll find that another major resonates with them more than their initial pick. Embrace those discoveries as a parent, as your support can be a critical key to their overall success.

Parents want to help their children thrive, but college is also an important transition into adulthood, a period of life where self-sufficiency is ultimately important. Trust in your child’s ability to navigate new challenges and develop problem-solving skills. While responding to genuine emergencies is undoubtedly fine, make sure you don’t try to solve every problem that arises for them. Parents should avoid solving their children’s problems, as it inhibits their ability to develop problem-solving skills.

Instead, point them to tools that help them find their own answers. That way, they learn how to navigate various situations, which will make their transition out of college and into the “real world” easier. Students need to be given the space to find their own pockets of support and advice, which fosters independence and resilience.

As mentioned previously, a student heading to college is a significant transition for parents, too. You may want to hold on very tightly, particularly in the beginning. However, you letting go is good for you, and it helps your student, too.

Holding on too tightly causes stress. Ultimately, there’s no way for you to track everything happening in your student’s life, and trying can cause turmoil. Along with increasing your anxiety, pushing too hard can drive a wedge between you and your student. By letting go, you’re giving the relationship a chance to blossom into something new, which is important.

For your student, you letting go shows that you trust the adult their becoming. That can be a major confidence boost. Facing challenges helps students develop into resilient young adults. As a result, make sure you remain available in ways that matter, but let them have the freedom they need to grow. That helps you both navigate this part of the journey successfully, making everyone’s transition a positive one.

11. Financial Literacy and Responsibility

As your student embarks on their college journey, understanding financial literacy and responsibility becomes crucial. College life introduces a myriad of expenses, from textbooks to social activities, and managing these costs effectively is a vital skill.

Encourage your student to track their expenses and create a budget that accounts for all their income and spending. By monitoring where their money goes, they can make informed decisions about how to allocate it wisely. Budgeting helps them develop a sense of financial awareness and responsibility.

Teaching your student to prioritize spending is also essential. Help them understand the difference between needs and wants so they can make smart financial decisions and avoid unnecessary debt. Learning to distinguish between essential expenses and discretionary spending will serve them well in the long run.

In addition to budgeting, emphasize the importance of saving and investing. Even small savings can grow over time and provide a financial cushion. If appropriate, introduce them to basic investment concepts so they can start building financial security early.

Many college campuses offer financial counseling and budgeting workshops. Encourage your student to take advantage of these resources to enhance their financial knowledge. Learning from professionals and using available tools can make managing money easier and more effective.

You might also consider setting up a joint bank account or credit card to help your student manage their finances and build credit. This approach allows you to monitor their spending while giving them a sense of financial independence and responsibility.

By instilling financial literacy and good money habits, you equip your student with essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their college years.