You have been striving to help your child grow into an independent adult. College orientation is one of the first moments when you will truly see that independence in action. Whether you are terrified or thrilled, it can be easy to lose your cool in this situation. Here is how you can take advantage of this opportunity without ruining orientation for your child.

Focus on Your Child

Orientation is for your child. It is where they will begin to meet their peers, discover important resources, and learn about the campus. Make sure the focus stays on your child. Encourage their sense of excitement and anticipation. Don’t feed into their fears by being vocal about your own.

Meet Other Parents

Most orientations will have separate information sessions, gatherings, and socials for parents and students. Don’t panic if you don’t get to see your student much during orientation. Now is a great time to meet other parents. Talking to and learning from one another can be one of your most valuable resources.

Clarify Your Rights

Understand your rights to information. Your child is likely no longer a minor when they go to college. This means they can sign their own forms and take care of their business without your consent or knowledge. Most colleges however, have students sign information releases that allow access to health records and transcripts to parents or guardians. If you are concerned about what your access to information will be, ask these questions now.

Discover Resources

Learn about resources available to parents and families. Many colleges have parent’s weekends, family oriented gatherings, and other on campus or online resources. It may be hard to anticipate what kinds of needs you have as your child begins college, so ask about what resources are available and how you can access them. Then you will be ready when you run into new situations.

Have Fun

College orientation is fun! Let go of your worries and enjoy this exciting time of transition. Take time to discover all of the great things about the college where your child will be spending the next four years.

 

 

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