We send our students off to college to get an education. We know that, in addition to their academic pursuits, they will be learning about life and the “real world”. So why should we need to teach them anything before they head out the door? Because there are some skills that will help them survive on their own as they navigate the world of college. Here are eight skills that will help your student succeed in “College 101”.
Parenting College Students: Recommended Reading List
This post includes a list of fourteen books of interest to parents of college students. The list is not inclusive: there are more books out there. The authors of these books have different styles and different approaches. Some are probably better than others. We are not endorsing any of the books, but hope that the list will serve as a resource for parents who want more information. You won’t want to read them all, but look for some of the titles that intrigue you.
Enjoy gathering some additional information – and recognizing that you’re not alone in your joys and concerns about your student heading off to college.
We also have four additional lists. Go to the Reviews and Reading Lists section of the website for lots more book suggestions.
Why Doesn’t My College Freshman Want To Attend Orientation?
Most colleges conduct some kind of orientation for incoming students. The orientation session may happen during the summer, or just prior to the beginning of classes. Orientation is valuable and helpful for incoming students. Your student is excited about beginning her college career. But you are taken by surprise when it comes time for orientation and your student says she doesn’t want to attend – and may even say she’s changed her mind about attending college! What’s going on?
The entire summer before the first year of college is likely to be a pendulum for your student between excitement and terror, longing for independence and clinging to home. He may not even realize what a roller coaster ride he’s on, but the more that you remember the enormity of this transition, the more that you can help – even if it is just through your patience. Although orientation may seem just the natural next step toward college, it may be one of the biggest steps.
Should My College Student Consider Summer Classes?
Once the last of the final exams are finished in the spring, most students look forward to a long summer break before classes resume in the fall. Students often spend their summer working hard at a summer job, but they enjoy having a summer free from classes, textbooks, papers, and tests. Some students, however, may consider signing up for summer classes – either at their own college or at an institution closer to home. There are some things for your student to consider before they make the decision to continue classes during the summer.
Why would a student want to take summer classes?
Students opt for summer classes for a variety of reasons.
Students May Be Accepted To College, But For Spring Admission
Your student probably waited eagerly for that important admissions letter to arrive from his college of choice. He hoped for an acceptance (possibly even early admission), but knew that either being waitlisted or rejected were also possibilities. However, what he may not have expected was to be admitted – but for admission the following spring rather than in the fall. An increasing number of schools are now considering this strategy. What does it mean for your student?
If your student is accepted for spring admission, it means that the college has accepted her, but can’t seat her until the following spring. The first thing that your student needs to realize is that it is admission. If this is her first choice of school, she can pay the deposit knowing that she will have a place in the spring. She should consider the option carefully before making a second choice out of frustration. If this is her first choice, it may be worth the wait until spring.
Five More Conversation Starters For Parents and Students Before the First Year of College
In our last post, we suggested five conversations parents and students should have before the student begins college. Here are five more questions to consider.
The process of heading off to college – both for your student and for you – is filled with expectations. One roadblock, however, may be that your expectations and your student’s expectations may not be the same. Using the summer months for some frank and open talk about expectations will clear the air – and possibly avoid difficult situations later when you realize that you, or she, made some assumptions. Good communication now will also lay the foundation for continued quality communication once your student heads off.
Here are five questions or conversations you might consider having before your student leaves for school. Don’t try to cover them all at once, but try to touch on some of these topics as you both prepare. Not only will you learn some things about your student, but she may learn some things about you as well.
When, and how often, will your student come home to visit during the first semester?
Whether or not your student will come home to visit during the first semester may not be an issue if your student is far away from home. But if your student’s school is close enough, do you anticipate her coming home often? Does she plan to come home? Some students head off to college planning to come home every weekend. They want to see their friends, they may want some home-cooking, or they may have a weekend job at home. However, students who are connected to their college – through friends and on-campus activities often do better. Of course, you don’t want your student to feel as though you don’t want her to come home, but you may need to discuss the importance of her spending time on campus to establish her new life. You may need to work to understand why she doesn’t want to come home on the weekend to visit you. Be flexible, of course, but make a plan before your student leaves home.
Five Conversations Parents and College Students Should Have Before the First Year of College
The summer before your student heads of to college is an exciting, busy, and stressful time for everyone. There’s lots to do to prepare – forms to complete, finances to consider, orientations to attend, shopping to do. Your student may be working and is also busy trying to spend as much time with his friends – and saying goodbye. Communication with your college student may have its wonderful moments, and may also be strained. You feel it is your last chance to impart your wisdom, and he is increasingly anxious to be independent.
The process of heading off to college – both for your student and for you – is filled with expectations. One roadblock, however, may be that your expectations and your student’s expectations may not be the same. Using the summer months for some frank and open talk about expectations will clear the air – and possibly avoid difficult situations later when you realize that you, or she, made some assumptions. Good communication now will also lay the foundation for continued quality communication once your student heads off.
Colleges Are Working To Avoid Tuition Hikes By Cutting Costs
In these difficult economic times, colleges, as well as the parents and students who are paying tuition, are feeling the financial pinch. Like the families who pay tuition, many colleges are attempting to tighten their budget in order to avoid raising tuition more than necessary. Many colleges are also committed to maintaining, or even raising, their amount of financial aid to students. Only 8% of colleges surveyed by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said that they had plans to reduce their financial aid offerings.
Most colleges and universities have already looked at and instituted some of the big savings strategies also being used by the corporate world as well. Many have looked to layoffs, halting construction projects, hiring freezes, and salary freezes. But colleges are also looking for other ways to trim their budgets.
Helping Your College Student Find Support On Campus
As a college parent, you want to support your college student in any way that you can. You talk on the phone (but hopefully not too often), you send mail (students love to find something in their mailbox), you send care packages, you listen when they share joys or worries; but there is a limit to what you can do. In your attempts to help your student find their increasing independence and sense of responsibility, you need to help your student find and use appropriate on-campus support systems.
Your college student may continue to turn to you for help. Or they may feel that being grown up means that they need to do everything for themselves. In either case, your student may not be finding and taking advantage of the resources available on campus. Be there, but help your student consider who else might best help. Ask questions and suggest that your student investigate some of the possible support available on campus. Here are fifteen possible sources of help.
College Lingo For College Parents: Talk the Talk — Part 5
We’ve written four earlier posts about some of the college vocabulary it might be helpful for you to know. Be sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. Here is a fifth installment.
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is named for Jeanne Clery, a nineteen year old freshman at Lehigh University who was raped and murdered in her residence hall in 1986. The law requires any college, either public or private, which receives federal financial aid, to keep and disclose crime statistics on and near campus. Amendments to the Clery Act passed in 2008 require institutions to include a campus emergency response plan in their reporting. Institutions are required to publish their report in the fall of each year, and it must contain information for the prior three years.
