Advice to Parents
- Be prepared for your child's - and your own - conflicting emotions as the day of departure approaches.
- Discuss academic expectations ahead of time. Encourage your daughter to set her own academic goals.
- Make a financial plan and openly discuss expectations with your child.
- Discuss expectations about communication - phone calls, e-mails and letters.
- Discuss use of alcohol and other lifestyle choices your daughter will have to make, but don't give lectures.
- If you take your child to school, don't expect to spend a lot of time together. Orientation is designed to foster separation.
- Be a coach rather than a rescuer: encourage your daughter to use the resources at college. Learn what the academic and personal support services are. Keep the parents' handbook and materials from orientation in an accessible place.
- Don't make major changes at home without informing your daughter.
- Be an anchor. Listen with an open mind and be supportive.
- Keep in touch; write/send care packages.
Additional information can be found in Letting Go: A Parents' guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger.