College is a time when you, as parents, can grant your children the precious opportunity to take responsibility as they develop into independent young men and women who are fully prepared to be productive and engaged citizens. What can you do to aid in this process?
*If your child doesn’t like his or her roommate, professors, academic advisers or grades, please help us by offering empathy and calmness. The social and survival skills young people develop in these situations will serve them well later in life.
*You can gently push your child to embrace complexity and diversity and to stretch the limits of his or her comfort zone. Some of the most important learning we provide is uncomfortable learning – where students take classes in subjects they find intimidating, and live, study and socialize with classmates from backgrounds very different from their own.
*Urge your child to take advantage of all that the campus offers – lectures by visiting faculty and dignitaries; performances and exhibitions by classmates with extraordinary musical, artistic and theatrical talents; athletic events where students can wear their scarlet and cream and cheer wildly.
*If your child tells you about a fascinating course, or an entire program or major that could expand their horizons but they are reluctant to try, please offer counsel and support as you encourage them to embark on these new adventures.
You have no doubt raised a smart and accomplished child, so use this time to be a constructive partner in your child’s educational journey.
*Adapted from “Grounding the Helicopter Parent” by Barry Glassner and Morton Schapiro, Published: August 24