August 14, 2024
Meghan O'Toole
Everything parents need to know about their college student's first year
It's natural to feel concerned about how your child will adjust to college life and how you can best support them. Here’s a guide to help you navigate your college student's first year with confidence.
Pride, excitement, apprehension, and worry—your student's transition to college can evoke a wide range of emotions. Entering college marks a significant milestone in both the lives of young adults and their parents. There are many ways parents can support their students from afar, from academic resources and understanding what your child's college offers to mental health support and encouraging independence.
The college transition: a parent's perspective
The first year of college is a time of emotional highs and lows for most students. They may experience homesickness, stress from academics, or difficulty making new friends. These are normal challenges and part of the growth process. A parent's job is to be an available support system while also encouraging their independence, which can sometimes be a tricky balancing act, especially with variable factors such as distance, financial situations, and what the student is willing to share.
Gabby Rowe, parent of a Lake Forest College senior who plays on the Forester football team, is well-aware of the stresses and anxieties associated with the transition to college. "My son Griffin was recruited to play football for the Forester football team. His father is also an alum of Lake Forest College. For years, Griffin heard his dad talk about his amazing college experience. So when a number of colleges offered him scholarships to play football, it came down to where Griffin felt he would fit the best—not only as an athlete, but as a student," Rowe said. "Lake Forest College lived up to all the memories his father shared, but Griffin felt the College would allow him to be both, a student and an athlete."
Students and parents can often get so wrapped up in the excitement of choosing a college that there is little room to discuss the apprehension surrounding the transition to college.
"Going to college and being away from home the first time is as big of a deal for parents as it is for students," she added. "It's a big time of transition. It was helpful to know there are so many resources and a network of good people for him to lean on at the school he ultimately chose."
What does a student's first year of college look like?
Move-in day is the pivotal moment in which students arrive on campus and settle into their accommodation. Many parents choose to accompany their students and help them move in to achieve this milestone and mark the transition from home to college, the beginning of a new level of independence for young adults. Once move-in is complete, final farewells are exchanged, and the student is experiencing a new way of living.
Before classes begin, many colleges and universities offer an orientation for new students. Lake Forest's New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed to provide students with an overview of the services and resources available to them, give them a chance to connect with one another, and offer opportunities to explore and familiarize themselves with campus. A favorite part of NSO is the Beach Bash!
Students love playing volleyball and spending time on the water at Lake Forest Beach. The Beach Bash is a fun barbeque with live music and games.
Once orientation is complete, classes begin, and students adjust to their new routines as part of a larger campus community.
Students complete classwork and continue learning throughout the semester. Once Fall Break hits in mid-October, it almost seems like the rest of the semester flies by! Finals take place early in December, and then students are free to enjoy their Winter Break before returning to campus in January.
Striking a balance when communicating with your college student
Regular communication is important, but it is necessary to find a balance that allows your child to explore their newfound independence. Scheduled calls or texts can provide reassurance without hovering.
As the parent of a college student, your rights are different from when your student was in high school. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. You may not have access to your student's education records unless they are specifically granted by your child.
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We made sure we understood the resources available at Lake Forest ourselves so we could encourage our son to use the resources available to him when we saw he needed them. As a parent, if you know your child is getting help, you have to stop asking questions. That's when you have to draw the line; you're doing it for yourself, not your child, and learning this balance is the hardest part about the college transition.
Gabby Rowe, Lake Forest College parent
Challenges your student may face in college
Academic pressure
Many college students feel immense pressure to earn good grades while balancing academics with work, organizations, and personal commitments. This stress, especially when combined with financial concerns and newfound independence, can mount, leading to aggravated personal crises and struggles for students while they are in college.
How you can help: While academic success is important, emphasize the value of learning and personal growth over grades alone. Support your child’s efforts and provide encouragement during challenging times. Offer guidance on time management and study skills. Help your child understand the importance of attending classes, seeking help from professors, and utilizing campus resources like tutoring centers.
- Lake Forest College's Quantitative Resource Center (QRC) provides students with extra help in the math and quantitative portions of their classes and supports already existing departmental and course tutors via one-on-one and small group tutoring.
- The Writing Center also offers support for every stage of the writing process.
- The Science Resource Center works to encourage students, build confidence, and improve comprehension of course material. Our academic support services also work with students to create better academic skills and habits.
Social adjustment
Joining a campus community can present a variety of challenges for students, especially when they are navigating new relationships while balancing their independence and discovering new interests. Some students may struggle to make new friends during such an intense period of change.
How you can help: Encourage your child to get involved in campus activities or clubs to meet new people and find a sense of belonging. Respect their need for independence in forming new friendships.
Coping with change
Living in a new space and being surrounded by so many new people can make students feel like their world has turned upside down. While this can be thrilling, it may also raise anxiety and stress for students.
How you can help: Be prepared for setbacks such as homesickness or academic stress. Listen actively and offer empathy while encouraging resilience and problem-solving skills. Teach your child to navigate challenges independently. Encourage them to seek out resources like academic advisors, counseling services, or peer support groups on campus.
Lake Forest College offers a variety of support services, including counseling, career advising, and more. Encouraging your student to get involved in clubs and organizations is a great way to ensure they stay connected to peers.
Questioning decisions
Many students may start college with one idea of what they want to do but change their minds as they take more specific classes and uncover new areas of interest. In fact, one in three college students changes their major at least once, according to Inside Higher Ed.
How you can help: Allow your child the flexibility to explore various academic and professional paths so they can pursue a field they are confident in.
Regardless of the path they choose, Lake Forest College offers the support your child needs to make it. With game-changing experiential learning opportunities across the board and personalized career support from the first year of your child's studies, it's no surprise that 96 percent of the Class of 2023 landed a job or pursued chosen graduate school opportunities within six months of graduating.
Financial stress
Some students struggle to find balance with financial independence. Many college students often have to think about managing expenses while paying for school and transportation, and this can cause students immense stress during an already challenging transition.
How you can help: Before your child leaves for college, it is important to discuss budgeting, spending habits, and the importance of managing finances responsibly. Set clear expectations about your financial support and encourage part-time work if necessary. Sometimes you may need to remind your student of the bigger picture: a degree will help raise their earning potential later in life.
Many students find part-time work on and off campus. There are also a variety of banks located in town where students can set up accounts and manage their finances.
Understanding financial aid
There is no getting around the fact that college comes with a price tag. However, it’s important to understand that higher education is first and foremost an investment in your child's future—they receive the value of the education they invest in. In fact, according to Forbes, students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree earn significantly more than peers with only a high school diploma.
The overall cost of college attendance is offset by federal, state, and institutional funding. At Lake Forest, for example, our scholarship programs are generous and only made possible by the endowment funds of the College. Learn more about financial aid and the value of a college education.
Your college student's mental health
The first year of a student's college career is filled with an immense amount of change and personal growth. Your child will be meeting so many people and exploring new hobbies all while deepening their academic knowledge, but so much change at once can bring stress to your child. If you are concerned about your student's mental health while they are away at college, ensure your student is aware of the resources available to them.
Lake Forest College's Health and Wellness Center is staffed by doctoral-level Licensed Clinical Psychologists. They are joined by Clinical/Counseling Psychology graduate students who are close to earning their doctorates. Together, they offer counseling to currently enrolled Lake Forest College students, including:
- Individual therapy
- Couples therapy
- Group therapy
- Crisis intervention
- On-call emergency consultation
- Outreach and consultation
During business hours, all students can schedule same-day crisis sessions with a therapist by contacting the Health and Wellness Center at 847-735-5240.
After business hours, all students can access our 24/7 Mental Health Support Line at 847-735-5300. This phone is for crises only and not a way of calling to schedule an appointment.
Advice for parents of college students
While your student is undoubtedly going through a huge transition, so are you as a parent. It's normal to feel complex emotions when your child embarks on their college education and enters this new phase of independence. Here are some helpful tips for navigating this transition as a parent.
Communicate through anxieties
Take care of your own emotional well-being during this transition. It’s normal to worry, but you should try to maintain a positive outlook and trust in your child’s ability to navigate their own path.
It is normal to feel some level of anxiety when your child departs for college. Questions about a student's safety, well-being, and decision-making can cause significant worry, but regular communication with your child can help ease your worries. Set up a schedule for phone calls or video chats to stay updated on their life without being overbearing.
Find community
Connect with other parents who are going through similar experiences. Many colleges offer parent orientation sessions or online forums where you can share concerns and gain support.
Lake Forest College's Parents and Families Facebook group offers an active community where guardians share resources with one another. Lake Forest College parents can also participate in the Parents' Council and access the Parent Portal.
Trust the process
Remember that the first year of college is a time of growth and discovery. Your child is learning valuable life skills and gaining independence that will serve them well in the future.
Understanding more about the college experience and what your child might be going through can help reduce your anxiety. Knowledge about the typical challenges and milestones of college life can make it easier to support your child.
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One thing I have been able to do while my son attends college is work closely with the Career Advancement Center. Because of my business relationships, I have been able to create opportunities for student internships. Parents have an obligation and responsibility to facilitate those kinds of opportunities at the school their child is attending if they have the resources to do so. I know everyone is busy and working hard, but I think that's one of the great opportunities for parents to get involved.
Ken Cohen '73, Lake Forest College alumnus and parent
Accessibility services
Accessibility Services at Lake Forest College is dedicated to providing equal access for students' academic and student life experiences.
Our goal is to provide equitable access for all students, regardless of disability need, through accommodations, resources and support services. Through collaboration, advocacy, and education, we strive to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in all its forms.
Accommodations for students can include:
- Academics: Extended time, tests in Testing Center, note-taking support, accessible text, classroom accessibility, interpreter services
- Housing: Single room, in-unit bathroom, single-user bathroom, AC, accessible (ground floor or elevator), emotional support animals
- Meal plan exemption
- Parking pass accommodation
Parents of commuter college students
Some students choose to live at home and commute to school while completing a degree. This can help the student save money on college expenses. Striking a balance between work, home, and school during a momentous occasion such as enrolling in college is important to a student's academic and social well-being.
If your student is planning to commute to campus from your family home while pursuing a degree, it is important to make adjustments to your relationship and roles at home. Your student is now an adult, and they are going through a big transition where they will make new friends and have greater academic responsibilities. Discuss matters like household chores, expectations for dining together, and the need for quiet hours reserved for studying before the beginning of the semester.
Your commuter student may also struggle to feel at home on campus while commuting. Encourage them to get involved in clubs and organizations, stay on campus between classes, and dine with peers.
Parents of international college students
For parents whose students choose to attend college abroad in the United States, the education system can seem alien and daunting. Many parents of international students are unable to visit campus to get a feel for the area and community, but you can explore the College's website and resources in order to familiarize yourself with the school.
When preparing your student to go abroad, there are three documents they need to study in the US: passport, F-1 student visa, and Form I-20. Even if you will not be traveling with your student to their college or university, make sure your own passport is valid in case of emergency. Parents of international students can usually travel on standard visitor B-2 visas.
Rest assured, if your student is attending Lake Forest College, they may be far from home, but they will not be alone. They belong to a vibrant and diverse community of first-year students who are all experiencing a similar transition. With 19 percent of our student body being international students, your child will surely find people who are experiencing similar situations, and our faculty and staff are always prepared to support students in any and all ways.
The transition to college is a significant milestone for both students and parents alike. By understanding the challenges and opportunities that come with this new phase of life, you can provide the right balance of support and encouragement. Stay connected, offer guidance when needed, and trust in your child’s ability to thrive in their new environment. Together, you can navigate this exciting journey and celebrate their successes along the way.