Many parents of new college students may wonder how their child’s new social life will affect academics. Horror stories of over-partying and getting kicked out of school crop up around the country, often leaving parents anxious. Here are 6 tips to ease your mind.
1. If you haven’t broached the subject of social responsibility with him yet, go ahead. Let him know what’s acceptable and what will disappoint you. Set the boundaries and tell him you expect him to meet your expectations.
2. If you have stories about your own college experiences, now is the time to share. The lessons you learned at her age can begin great conversations and may be a good way to open communication channels. (The phone call home may begin, “Dad, remember when you told me about the time you planned a road trip with your roommate…?”)
3. Remind your child that academics and good decisions are paramount. The college experience may well be over should she not be able to meet the expectations of the institution, or for that matter, your expectations. It’s also serious business when scholarships may be lost.
4. Stress the cost of a college education and the results of not completing it, including money for student loans that must be repaid and the potential difference in your child’s career options. Too much fun now may mean less desirable circumstances later.
5. Visit occasionally. Send email. Call. Be careful not to be excessive in contacting your child, but it will ease your mind if he is doing well, and you can get involved if he is not.
6.If your child is doing well, let him handle it. (Hang in there, the point is coming.) College is about learning, about becoming responsible, about creating a solid foundation for the future. A good bit of it is also about fun and socialization.
While she may test some boundaries, chances are good that she will remember your standards, and may very well someday appreciate that you cared enough to check up on her and how well she maintained that school-life balance.
