How Parents Can Support Their First-Year College Students

An oncologist at Morrison Cancer Center, Sanda Morar treats patients in Hastings, Nebraska. In addition to her work as a cancer specialist, Sanda Morar is the mother of a daughter who has recently enrolled at Georgetown University. 

Starting college is a difficult transition, especially for students attending universities far from home. Here are a few ways parents can support their children as they enter their freshman year:

- Discuss finances. First-year students often run into financial problems caused by inexperience with budgeting and paying for their own expenses. Parents should make sure their children have a plan for managing their money, which may include finding a part-time job or a roommate to split living costs.

- Be a guide. To help students get the most out of their first year, parents should avoid taking action to solve their children’s problems. Instead, parents can advise their children to talk with their school counselor about difficulties they may be having.

- Plan during the summer. To ensure the big move goes smoothly, parents can use the summer before school begins to help their children prepare. For example, students and parents can work together to make and complete a summer to-do list, which may include tasks such as buying dorm furniture and making arrangements for health insurance.