Julien's Journal September 2016 (Volume 41, Number 9) | Page 27

SEPTEMBER 2016

EducationReview

Your
Student’s
College
Journey

Things to think about as
your child departs for college
by Mindy Dalgarn, Ed.D.

B

eing the parent of a first-year college student
can be tough. The days of knowing the whereabouts of your young adult child are a thing
of the past. The schedule that was part of the
weekly routine no longer exists. Unless you
have another child in high school, there is no
longer a reason to attend those Friday night
athletic events, musical performances, or dance recitals. And
if that’s not enough, the relationships you have with your
spouse and those children who remain at home will change. A
child leaving home is an event that changes family dynamics.
First year college students are challenged too. They typically look forward to the college experience with mixed
emotions: excitement and anticipation on one hand and fear
and trepidation on the other. Most students eagerly anticipate increased independence, no curfews, greater variety in
academic course selections, flexibility in scheduling courses,
and the opportunity to meet new people, see new places, and
learn new things.
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