I had the honor of teaching college writing classes for nine years. I loved conversing with my students, planning lessons, and reading their ideas. The grading was by far the worst part of being a teacher, as well as the “but you have summers and weekends off” comments (insert eye roll). Overall, though, teaching college freshmen was an overwhelmingly positive experience.
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I wasn’t “just” my students’ teacher. There were many times I took on the role of counselor and mom. Though my own kids were babies at the time, I gained plenty of parenting-young-adult experience, both before and after class. What I noticed was that though these late-teens were technically adults, they very much still needed parental guidance. Being a college student, especially one who is new to the university experience, is hard.RELATED STORYGraduation Season Isn’t the Same When It’s Your Baby Wearing the Cap & Gown
If you’re a parent whose child is heading to college this upcoming fall, you can use this summer to your advantage. Preparing your teen for this major life transition is important to their future success. Here are five ways you can get them ready to spread their wings and embark on their new adventure.
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Guide your child on finances.
One of the worst mistakes college students make is racking up a lot of debt — fast. Don’t wait until mid-August to hand your kid a debit or credit card and wish them luck. Now is the time to have a meeting and decide who pays which bills, whether your teen is expected to work or not while attending school, and what their expenses will be.
Be prepared to have nitty-gritty conversations. What do you consider essentials, and what expenses are extras? Once your child starts school, check in with them, often, on how their financial situation is going. What needs to be adjusted? What happens if they fail a class? Who pays for that?
Discuss mental health.
One of the biggest struggles my college students faced was maintaining their mental health. I had to call an ambulance for a student one day who couldn’t breathe. Turns out, she was having a panic attack and later shared that she was under the crushing weight of getting a certain GPA to maintain her financial assistance.Report adRELATED STORYGraduation Season Isn’t the Same When It’s Your Baby Wearing the Cap & Gown
Help your student understand the mental health services their school offers, but also whether there are additional options your insurance allows (if applicable). Can your child do telehealth with a counselor, and what about access to medications for anxiety or depression? Please make sure mental health is an ongoing conversation with your child, and model good practices yourself. After all, actions do speak louder than words — especially to teens.
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
A student embarks on their first away-from-home adventure, which is often college, and gains the “Freshman Fifteen”. The issue isn’t this initial weight-change, but what often comes with it: declining overall health. Summer is a great time to remind your child about the importance of exercise and quality sleep. Though many freshman love to have the college experience (AKA: party hard), this is a recipe for disaster. Not only does their physical health suffer, but so do their grades and mental well-being.Report ad
It’s not always easy to get a good night’s rest in a dorm room, so invest now in noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask, and a white noise machine or fan. Help your child locate the school’s rec center and encourage them to join workout classes and active clubs (think sand volleyball). Take your teen with you to the grocery store and have them help you select healthy foods, as well as help prepare meals and snacks.
Teach them to ask for help.
College students often feel that they must prove themselves and be independent. Though these can be great qualities, they can also work to the student’s detriment. It’s important that teens pause, recognize an issue before it gets out of control, and ask for help from the appropriate adult. I had students whose grades would slip — but they would decline my invitations to meet during my office hours to review their work, and then beg me for extra credit the last week of class. They learned the hard way that it was too late, and that their failing grade would be their final grade.
The same goes for mental and physical health issues. When aspects of a student’s life start to feel out of control, it’s time to contact mental health services or the student medical office. Asking for help is not a weakness, and your child needs to see you be willing to do the same for yourself. Over the summer when you find yourself in a situation, let your teen see you roping in the appropriate helpers.Report ad
Starting college can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience for any young adult. By taking steps over the next two months with your child — yes, teamwork — you can set them up for a wonderful freshman year.
