Our Top Tips for Parents of New College Students

Top Tips for Parents of New College Students

1. Prepare to Help Them Navigate Academic Challenges

College is vastly different from high school for several reasons. First, parents aren’t overseeing all their students’ activities, so there may be less external motivation to push them to take on 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, as colleges often offer workshops on study skills and time management, along with tutors, study groups, writing centers, and similar options. If your student may need accommodations, prepare essential documents early. Encourage them to turn to the syllabus and even make copies to keep on their desks. That way, that touchstone is always available.

2. Have a Conversation About Disclosure and Privacy

When your student heads to college, you may have expectations about what they’ll share with you along the way. Additionally, your student might have strong feelings about maintaining their privacy. As a result, disconnects can easily occur.

One critical piece of advice for parents of college-bound students is to have a conversation with them about disclosure and privacy before your student starts college. Talk about what you’d like to know and why, and give them a chance to respond. Get on the same page about what’s appropriate for you to ask about along the way. This creates a framework for stronger communication, ensuring everyone agrees with the expectations.

3. Don’t Take It Personally If Your Student Can’t Chat

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, and the first few weeks of the first semester can be especially stressful for new students. 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 during first year.

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, whether that means a quick phone call once a week or texting more often; sometimes it helps just to hear your voice. That way, you can catch up without the calls seeming overly disruptive. Many freshmen report feeling anxious during their first semester, so a calm, helpful contact can make all the difference. Students often need more independence from family contact as they grow into this new stage of life, so finding a balance is key.

8. Make Sure You and Other Family Members Support Each Other

One piece of advice for parents of college freshmen that many people need is to remember they aren’t the only ones going through this transition. If you’re married, have other children, or have other family members in the area, everyone has seen their life change, and the shift often affects parents, other relatives, and even younger kids at home.

Make sure that you and your family members support each other during this journey. Showing unconditional love and emotional support as a family can help your student adjust to a new life away from home. Don’t put that burden on your college-bound student, as that can make them feel guilty for leaving and could make college harder for them. Instead, turn to other family members who are in your position, offering support and accepting it in equal measure.

9. Spend Time on Yourself

If your student’s journey to college leaves you with an empty nest, you may feel like your identity as a parent isn’t the same. While that can be saddening, it’s also wise to see it as an opportunity for reinvention. You may have the time to take part in activities that never fit into your schedule before, and that’s exciting.

As you decide where you want to head, use the time to practice self-care. That will help you reduce stress and introduce new joys into your life. Then, if you find an activity you’d like to try, an old hobby you’d like to revisit, or anything else, embrace that idea. This is an amazing time in your life where the focus is now on you as an adult, so make the most of it.

10. Take a Deep Breath, and Let Go

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, your letting go is good for you and 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 to do so can cause turmoil as your child becomes more independent in this process. 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, letting go shows that you trust the adult they’re becoming. That can be a major confidence boost. Starting college is when new routines take shape, and mistakes are part of learning. Celebrating small milestones can boost confidence and growth. 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 positive.

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 and a meal plan 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, especially when they plan around the semester, so spending lines up with recurring deadlines and school breaks.

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.

12. Mental Health and Wellness

The college experience can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, making mental health and wellness a top priority. As a parent, your support can make a significant difference in your college student’s ability to navigate these challenges. Many college students are still adjusting emotionally as new students in a very different environment. Here are some tips to help your student maintain good mental health:

It’s important to encourage your college student to seek help when needed, especially if they’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Most colleges offer college resources such as wellness centers, counseling, and peer support that are easily accessible to students. Discussing the importance of self-care and introducing stress-management techniques — such as exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and getting enough sleep — can help your student stay balanced and avoid burnout as they navigate the pressures of college life.

Encouraging your student to connect with campus resources, such as mental health support groups and counseling services, can also provide valuable support, help them build connections in the campus community, and make it easier to meet other students and develop friends to reduce isolation.

Finally, setting up regular check-ins with your student to discuss their mental health and overall wellness can provide a safe space for them to share their feelings and seek advice. These conversations can help ensure that they feel supported and have the opportunity to express any concerns they may have.

Focusing on your students’ mental well-being equips them with resilience and essential coping skills that will support them throughout college and into their future.