The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone for many. This summer, students and parents have many more questions than answers when it comes to the upcoming year of higher education. Graduating seniors are coping with a major transition during a time when routine buffers to stress may be harder to access. Despite this challenge, there is a silver lining to this summer which can provide families with an opportunity to give support and information, prioritize mental health and coping, and collaboratively plan for a smoother transition. Here are some ways to support your student before they embark on their next great adventure.
Listen and Validate Emotions
Listen to your student’s thoughts and concerns. The last several months have looked very different for graduating seniors across the country. There may be mixed emotions about moving away from home and onto a college campus. Some students will experience a greater than usual amount of separation anxiety, while others will be excited. When your student brings up their thoughts and emotions about the upcoming year, try to listen without judgement. If you are getting stuck in knowing how to respond, simply repeating back a summary of what your child has expressed can be very validating.
Keep them Informed
We all want to be optimistic about next year. However, when it comes to communicating with your student about their transition to college, it is best to stick to the facts. Along with your child, keep up to date with the university or college’s current plans for transitioning to campus. Encourage your student to be an active receiver of this information and be ready to talk about details as they are released.
Prioritize Mental Health
Mental health problems in college students have been on the rise even before this current pandemic. College freshman with a history of anxiety, depression, learning challenges, or social concerns are more likely to experience mental health problems after they transition from home to campus. Use the time you have with your teen this summer to review known and anticipated triggers and reflect on how they have effectively coped in the past. Talk to them about how they have overcome challenging transitions even within the last several months. Helping your student identify and anticipate triggers will empower them to act if and when these stressors occur.
Plan Ahead
Encourage your student to plan ahead for challenges. Having information about how to access medical and mental health care is a good place to begin. It is also important to have a communication plan that both parents and students agree upon. This might include the frequency and way in which parents and students plan to check in. It is also important to plan for a potential dorm room quarantine in the event of an outbreak on campus. Be prepared and include a list of essentials for your student to keep in stock.
Practice your own Self Care
We would be remiss to review many of the reasons why transitioning to college during a pandemic is hard on freshman without noting that it will also be hard on parents. Take time to acknowledge that the transition to college for your student marks a loss and transition within the family system. Be sure to practice your own self-care strategies and in doing so you will model positive coping for all members of your family. If you or your teen could benefit from additional support, individual therapy or a local support group could help.