College Bound: How Parents Can Handle the Next Step in Their Teen’s Educational Journey

You watch with a mixture of pride and a touch of sadness, as your eldest child walks across the stage to accept their diploma. You begin to think: How did we get here so fast? I remember their first day of kindergarten like it was yesterday. It’s taken 18 years to arrive at this moment and the moment has finally arrived; you officially have a high school graduate. As this chapter in their educational journey closes, a new one opens.

The past several months may have been filled with college visits and tours, discussions about possible majors, applications, essays and the dreaded waiting period to see if your graduate got accepted to their preferred college and maybe some disappointment around not getting into their college of choice. As a parent, you may find yourself in unfamiliar territory; you are the parent of a college student. You may be feeling a mixture of sadness, excitement, pride, nerves and worry. How will they handle living away from home? Will they adjust to such a large transition? Can they manage all the independence that college brings? How will they handle the demand of their classes?

Stop. Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you are not alone in your worry and concern. Many, if not all parents experience similar worry when their teen goes off to college. College is not just a transition for your teen, but for you as a parent as well. While your teen may have opted to go away for college, you can continue to be connected despite the distance. They will still need your support, encouragement and wisdom.

One way to maintain that connection is to set up weekly phone or Face Time calls with your teen to see how they are settling in, how classes are going, and to just hear about how college life is treating them thus far. Sometimes the sound of a familiar voice can quell any homesickness your teen may be experiencing (but never admit to).

Take a road trip! Many colleges have parent weekends that are scheduled in advance where families are invited to come and visit their teen. If your teen attends a college within reasonable driving distance, get out your calendar and mark this weekend ahead of time. You can spend time at a college football game, having your teen give you a tour of campus or going out to dinner together. No matter what you do, your teen will appreciate the time and effort you put into the visit.

Watching your teen head off to college can be a moment filled with many emotions. Rest assured you are not alone; your teen is most likely feeling similar. College is a time that is filled with much excitement and anticipation, but perhaps also anxiety, sadness and worry. Remember that no matter how old our children get, they will always need us to be there to listen, support, encourage and guide.

Your teen may call you to tell you how hard college is, how they are finding it difficult to meet people or how much they miss you and you’ll be there. Just like you always have.