Young College Students Still Need Their Parents

Posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2015

There really is no feeling like the start of the school year on a college campus. The energy of so many young students who are experiencing independence for the first time is palpable and generates excitement for both the students and college staff.

With a record enrolment of almost 1,000 students studying this fall at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus there are plenty of reasons to celebrate, but with more students also comes a greater need to support them in making the transition to college.

Almost half of the students that are studying at the campus this fall have had to re-locate to the Pembroke area. That means these young people have a lot of adjusting to do, from cooking their own meals to managing a budget and of course getting to know new people to take away the very real feelings of homesickness.

Last week during orientation, the Campus provided information sessions for parents and provided tips to Mom’s and Dad’s about how they can help their student succeed. From more frequent check-ins at the start of the school year to sending a care package from home, these small gestures can go a long way in helping a student adjust to their new surroundings. It’s also helpful for parents who may themselves be experiencing “empty nest” syndrome, particularly if they are sending their oldest or only child away to school.

The Waterfront Campus has recently developed a website for Parents and Families that helps them better understand what it is like to be a student at Algonquin College. The site includes a glossary of common terms used by the college, a newsfeed of articles that are geared to parents of post-secondary children, information on college services that can help students succeed and much more.

Students need their independence, but having a healthy and open relationship with their parents so they can talk through issues remains important as they move on to post-secondary education. Parents need to find the balance between providing support and allowing their child the ability to make their own decisions. Young people will make mistakes, and college is a great place to learn responsibility and take ownership of their academic performance and their life outside of the classroom.

All parents want their child to be successful in their post-secondary studies. September is the start of a life-changing journey for young college students who are taking their first step in building a career. It doesn’t mean they still don’t need support from Mom and Dad. It just means they are growing up.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager Community and Student Affairs

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