Student's transition to college affects parents, too - School & College Guide

Student's transition to college affects parents, too

Sunday, Oct 14, 2007 - 12:00 AM Updated: 01:54 AM

Article Tools
Email a Friend RSS digg it	Printer Friendly Mobile Alerts Sphere IT Save This Page

By SANDRA HOLMES WALSH

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

When a student leaves home to attend college it brings a sense of change to the whole family.

The student is embarking on a great adventure developing independence, discovering new interests, taking risks, making decisions, and growing socially and intellectually.

The role of parents also changes as they learn to let go and allow their son or daughter the freedom of making his or her own choices. During the college years, parents may find their relationship with their student spinning in new directions.

Colleges and universities are reaching out to parents and families to help them understand the critical changes that take place during these years. Schools are taking a proactive role to involve and reassure parents who are dealing with new issues and adapting to changes.

. . .

At Virginia State University, Parent Weekend is a good opportunity for parents to meet administrators and faculty and view their student's role on the Petersburg campus.

"Our goal is to allow parents the opportunity to view their student in various roles . . . in the classroom, in the choir, in the band, on the football field," said Dr. LaVerne J. Briggs, director of residents at VSU.

Parents can participate in a Provost breakfast where officials outline goals and plans. During the weekend when parentsn visit classes and residence halls, they can ask about any concerns, noted Dr. Briggs.

. . .

The University of Virginia provides a colorful, image-filled Handbook for Parents that was produced in cooperation with the U.Va. Parents Committee and the University of Virginia Alumni Association. The handbook may be viewed online at www.virginia.edu/families/.

Along with detailed information about the U.Va. campus, including maps, the guide offers a calendar of events for families; information about seminars offered during parent orientation each summer in conjunction with new student orientation; phone numbers for all emergency services on campus; information about preparing for the unexpected, ranging from a pandemic flu outbreak to severe weather conditions; photos and contact information for key university leaders; parent-to-parent tips; and even a guide to university lingo such as the Charlottesville meaning of "CD" a.k.a. the Cavalier Daily, the university's newspaper produced by students.

Rachel Most, assistant dean, associate professor College of Arts and Sciences at U.Va. and mother of a college sophomore and a college senior contributed these Top Ten Tips for Parents to the guide:

Make sure your child knows how to get himself/herself up in the morning.

Make academics a high priority beginning with the first year, and know how to ask for help if there are problems.

Tell students to take care of business by paying attention to mail and deadlines. Check the Web pages of the university, too.

Establish strong relationships with advisors and faculty.

Be interested and supportive about your child's course selection, but don't do it for them.

Let your student choose a major and make their own career choice, according to their strengths and interests.

Use the university Career Services.

Encourage your student to go to outside-the-classroom events, such as lectures, plays, sporting events, concerts, etc.

Temper your advice to your children. Don't bombard them with everything at once. Keep an open line of communication and ask them lots of questions about their academic and social life.

. . .

The College of William and Mary publishes and distributes the Parent and Family Handbook for the parents of all entering undergraduates. It covers a range of topics from academics to residence life to dining and other services on campus. There is also a Q&A section, which addresses frequently asked questions by families who are new to the college. The handbook is also available as a PDF file on-line.

The college's main Web page www.wm.edu has a link for parents where they can find information about the Parents Association, coming events, programs, financial information, the W&M Family Newsletter (published and e-mailed quarterly), and more. One link on the site directs parents to information useful for "Taking Care of Your Student" with tips about study skills, student health, counseling services, etc.

The W&M Parents Association has a steering committee (25 parent couples representing each of the four undergraduate classes) that meets with the college administration twice a year to address issues of importance to the college and parents.

. . .

Roanoke College offers several sessions for parents during freshman orientation, plans a Family Weekend of activities each year and sends out an electronic newsletter to inform parents of campus events. Mac Johnson, vice president for student affairs, writes a column for the newsletter at the beginning of each year that usually addresses ways parents can move from their traditional role to one as mentor for their student.

Care packages and "gift-o-grams" provide important links to home for students. The dining services at Roanoke College offer several options to parents who want to send a treat to their student during exams, for their birthday or other celebrations.

Sandra Walsh is a mother who has seen four sons off to college.