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Useful Tips For Parents Of College Kids

There will come a time when your little ones are all grown-up, and before you know it, in the blink of an eye, they’re suddenly heading off to college, preparing for their very own independent, adult lives.

Useful Tips For Parents Of College Kids

But just because your kids have grown older and started doing more things for yourselves, it doesn’t mean you no longer have a part to play.  

In fact, with stress being a serious factor for so many college students, a lot of young men and women are actually quite reliant on their parents to offer help, guidance, and support.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some useful tips and pieces of advice you can share with your college-aged kids to help them make the most of their college years safely and correctly.

Safety First

It’s no secret that college campuses aren’t always the safest places for young adults to be. Thousands of cases of college crimes are reported each year, and many campuses have serious issues in regards to things like sexual assault and harassment.

Remind your older kids of the importance of staying safe on campus. This might mean always walking around with a friend after dark or keeping a close eye on their drinks at parties, as well as driving or using campus e-scooters safely to avoid any nasty accidents.

Get Serious About Scheduling

A lot of college kids can be quite overwhelmed during their first few weeks and months. Suddenly, they find themselves with whole new freedoms, lots of new potential friends, invites to parties and special events, and plenty more, as well as a lot of responsibilities in terms of getting work done and looking after themselves.

This is, therefore, a good opportunity to speak to your child about the importance of scheduling and organizing their time efficiently. A student with a schedule will be much more likely to succeed in their studies and smartly manage their time to enjoy both the essential educational side of college and the social aspects too.

Pursue Their Passions

College years are a time for young people to find out more about themselves, discovering passions, interests, and parts of their personality they might have had a chance to explore before. At college, they’ll be presented with new opportunities, encountering people with different ways of thinking, and offered chances to try out all kinds of unique activities.

Encourage your kids to pursue their passions by joining extra-curricular clubs and getting involved with different events around campus. This can be a great way for them to learn new things and perhaps discover hidden talents or skills, as well as making new friends and feeling more comfortable with their college life.

Be Present, But Not Too Present 

College is a place where your child will start to become more of an independent adult, and navigating this time can be quite a challenge. A big part of getting through it successfully is being able to strike a balance between being present and supportive of your kids, without being overbearing or getting too involved.

Put simply, it’s all about letting your kids know that you’re there for them, only a text or phone call away, if they need you for advice or guidance, without always being the one who calls them non-stop or asks for updates or tries to interfere in their decisions. Trying to force your way into their college life could lead to them pushing you away, so try to be there for them while still letting them forge their own path.

Try to Keep Calm

As well as being a stressful moment for your child, college can feel quite stressful for you, as a parent, too. It’s a time of big change, when the little one you’ve raised for so many years suddenly leaves the nest and sets off on their own adventures.

When this happens, you might be tempted to give in to fear, panic, or doubts, but try to remain calm and accept this new stage of life with a smile. Look at the positives and enjoy watching your child grow into an independent adult, accepting and acknowledging that this is all a part of their own natural journey.

Final Word

College can be one of the best and most rewarding experiences for your children, and it can be the same way for you too, as long as you take the right approach. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your child’s college years, helping them make the most of every second and get the best start to their adult lives.

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