Welcome, parents and families! We're thrilled you are taking an interest in your student's college experience and are excited to partner with you in supporting their journey. This can be both an exciting and challenging time for you and your student. At Widener, you'll find support to help guide you through the process and help your student thrive.
It's completely normal for college students to hit a few bumps in the road when it comes to their academics. Here are a few ways you can also help:
College can be a stressful time, and many students experience emotional distress at some point during their college career. As a parent of a college student, it's important to be aware of the signs of emotional distress that your student may experience.
Signs may include:
If you notice any of these signs in your student, it's important to offer support and encourage them to seek help from resources on campus, such as counseling services or peer support groups. By being aware and taking action, you can help your child navigate the challenges of college and their emotional and physical well-being.
Here are a few resources to help navigate difficult discussions:
It's perfectly normal for college students to change their majors. In fact, it's often a sign that they are exploring their interests and finding their true passions! Rest assured, changing majors doesn't necessarily mean they will experience setbacks. It's important to have supportive conversations with your student about their reasons for wanting to switch majors and help them navigate this transition and thrive in a new field of study.
Changing majors can lead to new opportunities and personal growth for your student. With your support and guidance, your student can navigate this process successfully.
As a parent of a college student, you can play an important role in helping your child manage their finances. With your guidance and support, your child can learn to make smart financial decisions, manage their finances effectively, and avoid financial stress during college and beyond.
How you can help your child manage their finances:
When it comes to the cost of a college education, it's important you and your student are taking advantage of financial aid. The first step is completing the FAFSA to determine if your student is eligible to receive state, federal, or Widener need-based aid. You can also encourage your student to apply for scholarships and grants and work with our Student Financial Services office for additional support.
Some college students experience homesickness and difficulty finding a sense of belonging on campus, especially during their first year away from home. As a parent, there are several ways you can help your child cope with these emotions while showing them love and support and encouraging them to get engaged on campus to find their community.
With your love, support, and encouragement, your child can overcome homesickness and thrive in their new environment.
Even though roommate issues can be common for college students, they can still be stressful. If your college student is having issues with their roommate, listen to their concerns, offer advice if they ask for it, and encourage them to communicate openly with their roommate. If issues persist, suggest that they talk with their resident assistant (RA).
Remind your student that they're not alone and that these things happen—and with a little effort, they can work through it and have a positive living experience. To ensure they're doing their part to maintaining a positive living environment, we've created a guide for talking to your student about being a good roommate and neighbor.
As a varsity athlete, your student may find difficulties balancing academic and athletic priorities. To avoid creeping pressure and burn-out, we encourage you to be a listening ear and offer emotional support and guidance when needed.
If academic performance is slipping, encourage your student to seek available academic resources such as academic tutoring, study groups, and 1:1 office hours with their professors. Their coach and teammates are also helpful resources.
At Widener, our athletes have access to Check Up from the Neck Up—a program focused on their well-being as well as a dedicated room known as Health, Unity, and Belonging, or the H.U.B. – which is located in the Schwartz Athletic Center. The H.U.B. is designated to and designed for athletes and coaches to be used as a space to relax, grab a snack, and take a mental health break.
Finally, remember to offer words of encouragement and celebrate their successes both on and off the field. Remind them that their worth is so much more than their athletic or academic achievements and its okay to take a break to prioritize their personal well-being.
There's a ton happening on campus—all. the. time.–while exciting it can also create difficulties with time management and knowing when to say no. Here are some tips to help your student manage their time and avoid the FOMO trap:
With these tips, you can help your student navigate the exciting world of college without feeling overwhelmed by the fear of missing out.
Support your college student as they explore career options by encouraging them to seek career counseling services, attend job fairs, and network with professionals. Help them research industries and companies that match their passions and talents, and provide opportunities for relevant experience through internships or volunteering. Listen to their goals and interests and encourage informed decisions.
Not only do real-world work experiences provide valuable on-the-job training, but they can also help your student build their professional network and gain a competitive edge in the job market. Encourage your student to research potential opportunities and work with their professors and the Career Design & Development team to find a placement that aligns with their interests and goals.
Studying abroad can be an incredible opportunity for your college-aged student to experience new cultures, gain a global perspective, and develop important life skills. Encourage your student to talk to advisors and/or the Center for Civic & Global Engagement team and connect with students who have studied abroad to make an informed decision. You can offer support and guidance throughout the process, by helping them explore funding options like scholarships, grants, and financial aid, and exploring different programs. With careful consideration and planning, your student can embark on a life-changing adventure and come back with a wealth of knowledge and experiences.
In addition to their academic advisors, you can be a great support system for your student if they're interested in pursuing graduate school. Widener also makes it easy to pursue an accelerated graduate degree through our 4+1 Accelerated Advantage program—saving your student time and cost. Widener graduates may also be eligible to receive an alumni discount on the majority of our graduate program offerings. If they know early on that they're interested in attending a medical or law school, pre-professional pathways could be a great choice to hone skills and qualifications as an undergraduate.
Encourage your student to research different programs and talk to their academic advisor and current grad students or professors in their field. They can also find support for navigating the application process, including personal statements and letters of recommendations, through Career Design & Development. Ultimately, just be there for them as they make this important decision. With your help, they'll be well on their way to achieving their academic and career goals!
