College is a big step in any young adult’s life, there’s no doubt about it. However, the transition from home life to college life can be equally challenging for parents. Thus, most colleges invite parents to their college orientation as a way to get a feel for the campus and a glimpse of what their child’s life will be like for the next few years.
To make the most out your child’s college orientation, here are six tips designed to help you get through the college orientation experience.
1. Be prepared to spend the day away from your student.
It can be difficult to separate from your child, especially when you enter an environment that is new to the both of you. However, most colleges require parents and students to split off into different groups during orientation. This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, allowing your child to go through orientation without you will give them their first taste of independence and allow them to socialize with their new peer group. It will be these peers, after all, whom your child will be spending their future time with on campus.
2. Utilize any down time to perform necessary paperwork.
After touring the premises and meeting with campus faculty, you may find yourself with some extra time on your hands. Make the most out of this free time by ensuring you have all the necessary documents gathered and filled out, this way you won’t be rushed to finish forms a week before classes begin.
3. Ask the right kind of questions.
Optimally, inquire about information that can’t already be found on the university’s website or handouts. If you can, jot down questions before the orientation date to ensure they’re phrased correctly and accurately convey the nature of your question. It’s easy, after all, to misinterpret what someone is saying in a crowded room, even if there’s a microphone handy. Finally, don’t be embarrassed to broach a certain topic. Other parents are likely curious about the same subjects as you.
4. Gather contact information for future reference.
While you don’t want to assume the worst, it never hurts to be prepared in case of an emergency. Speak with an adviser or administrator about any contact information you may need in various scenarios. Furthermore, it doesn’t hurt to supply the university with any additional contact information of your own, so they can speak with you directly if the occasion permits.
5. Keep Up to Date with the Campus
Sign up for campus social media sites and newsletters. This will enable you to get involved with campus happenings without being overbearing. Most universities use their social media presence to inform followers about upcoming events, important dates, such as finals and refund deadlines, in addition to exclusive news from within the campus.
6. Meet Up with Your Child to Discuss What You’ve Learned.
At the end of orientation, ask your child about their experience. Listen first, and don’t interrupt, this will likely be an eventful day for them and they’ll want to share (or vent) their feelings with you. You can talk when they are finished. After swapping stories, discuss how comfortable they are with you being involved in their scholastic life. Whether you like it or not, they are adults now, and they may not want to grant you access to their grades or school progress. With college comes a shift in the dynamic of your relationship. It will be up to both of you to figure out what you want your roles to be. They may want to consult you before every major discussion, or they may choose to further develop their independence. Try to be supportive regardless.
What are your tips for getting through college orientation? Let us know about them in the comment section below.
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