It’s normal to feel a mix of pride, excitement, and perhaps a little concern as your child starts college. Sending a child to college is a big deal, after all. What can you do as a parent to help them do well in school? Let’s talk about some important things you can do to assist children do well throughout these important years.
1. Encourage Open Communication
One of the best ways to stay active in your child’s college experience is to keep the lines of communication open. Don’t give them too much advise at once. Instead, ask them questions that let them talk about their feelings, problems, and triumphs. Keep in mind that college can be hard, and they might not always reach out initially.
Make sure to check in with them often, but give them the space they need to get used to being on their own and handle their new freedom.
2. Show Interest in Their Classes
Parents can play an active role in supporting their child’s academic journey by showing genuine interest in their classes. A great way to help is by discussing their assignments and offering encouragement. For example, when Linda’s daughter first encountered overwhelming stress in her first year of college, she felt lost and unsure how to manage it all. That’s when Linda stepped in, offering her daughter a listening ear and helping her break down her academic tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces.
For example, if your child finds it challenging to write an essay, you might want to consider essay writing service for students to guide them. Professional assistance can help with organizing thoughts, improving writing skills, and creating well-structured essays.
Engaging with their academic tasks in this way can boost both confidence and performance.
3. Create a Study-Friendly Environment
Having a good place to study at home can make a big impact. Make sure your child has everything they need to accomplish well in their dorm or apartment while they are away at college. This could mean having a quiet place to study, good lighting, and a comfy chair.
Tell them to keep a calendar with significant dates, including when exams are due and when extra schoolwork is due. It helps them keep things in order and lowers their stress.
4. Encourage Healthy Habits
College might sometimes make you do things that aren’t good for you, including staying up late, eating junk food, and being stressed. Help your child develop habits that will keep them healthy in both body and mind. Tell them to get enough sleep, eat well, and work out.
Even modest things like walking between courses or eating fruits and veggies might help you stay awake and clear-headed. In the long run, good habits will help them focus and do better.
5. Help Them Find Support on Campus
Most institutions offer a variety of services to help students, such as academic tutoring and counseling for mental health issues. If your child is feeling overwhelmed or needs additional help with schoolwork, tell them to look for these services. Some students don’t want to ask for aid, but you should tell them that these resources are there to help.
You may even look into what their school has to offer and establish a plan for when they might need aid.
6. Be Prepared for Setbacks
Your child can have trouble with schoolwork along the road. It’s a normal part of going to college. Grades may not always show how hard someone worked, and they may run into problems. Be there to remind them that failing is a chance to learn. Tell them to work on getting better, not being perfect.
When things go wrong, pay attention, assist them figure out how to fix the problem, and provide them emotional support.
7. Help Them Balance Work and Play
There is more to college than just schoolwork. It’s a time to grow as a person and meet new people. Tell your child to find a balance between having fun and learning. Things like extracurricular activities, making friends, and relaxing are all crucial components of going to college.
If they feel like they have too much to do or are too anxious, tell them to take pauses and do activities they enjoy. Finding a balance can help kids stay motivated and focused over time.
8. Be Involved, but Give Them Space
It might be hard to find the appropriate balance between being involved and being independent. You want to help them without taking away their freedom. Encourage them to be responsible for their schoolwork, but be there to help them when they need it. You shouldn’t micromanage their schoolwork, but you should be a consistent presence they can turn to for aid when things get hard.
9. Discuss Financial Management
One of the most difficult parts of college life might be managing your money. Teach your youngster how to make a budget and use their money properly. You can talk about how important it is to find a balance between spending on food, books, and fun. Making a budget plan jointly will help you avoid money problems in the future.
Make sure they know how their education will affect their finances if they are working part-time or paying off student debt. Finally, praise your child’s accomplishments, no matter how big or tiny. Taking the time to praise their success, whether it’s passing an exam, finishing a hard assignment, or just getting through a hard week, will make them feel better.
It doesn’t have to be a big deal to celebrate. Sometimes, just a call or text can make them feel good about all the work they’ve done. Knowing that you are proud of them is a big reason for them to do well.
