New Students’ Parents and Families

Together, we can help your student embark on an incredible adventure.

Welcome to the 51�� community. Families are valued as important partners in supporting students’ growth and development. This page shares some resources you may find helpful as your student prepares to arrive at 51��.

Preparing for Your Student’s Arrival

We know that you are an important source of support and care for your student, and that you are their biggest champion. We welcome your partnership. More information on what to expect over the next few months will be available soon to parents and families.

Cover of preparation guide for parents and family members

Family Preparation Guide

Your student will be receiving The Road to 51�� brochure in May and may review the online New Student Checklist, which outlines all the things they need to do starting in May to prepare for 51��.

Download the Guide

Descargue la Guía

Parent & Family Orientation

Family members are warmly welcomed but not required to attend Parent & Family Orientation. This program will explain 51��’s student development philosophy and introduce family members to experiences their students will likely encounter in the first weeks of college. We’ll also provide tips for supporting your student, and explain the resources 51�� has to support you.

Choose from one of two dates:

August 20, 2024 (pre-orientation drop-off day)
August 25, 2024 (Arrival Day)

Families who will not be coming to campus may request a recording of the program.

Encouraging a Successful Year

Advice from 51��’s director of counseling and psychological services, Dawn LaFrance

College is an exciting time for many reasons, for both students and their families. It can also be overwhelming. Encouraging your student to follow these guidelines will help them with this transition — to succeed and grow.

Keep a healthy schedule.

Enough sleep, proper nutrition, a balance between studying and enjoyable activities — during the stress of the academic year, these basics are often the first to be forgotten. Family members can be helpful in reminding their students to practice self-care.

Meet new people.

Remind your student to go into situations with an open mind. Meeting new people can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it is part of the adjustment process. They may be surprised what they learn about themselves as they get to know people who are different from them. Ask them what they’re discovering.

Stay connected to home, but with limits.

Communicating with your student via text and social media can help you stay involved and can help them stay in touch with family and friends from home. This is how many students in the iGen communicate! At the same time, balance is crucial. Don’t demand constant communication. Help them find ways to depend on others in their social circles. In many cases, the absence of communication will mean that your student is busy and involved.

Discuss important topics, including difficult issues.

Read the materials sent by 51��, as well as the Maroon-News and colgate.edu/news so that you can have conversations with your student about what is going on at the University.

Mental and emotional health

The first year of college will be a tremendous adjustment for your student. Help them prepare by considering a mental and emotional wellness plan that includes how you can be supportive. It’s better to figure out strategies in advance rather than waiting until a moment when tensions and emotions are high. Our worksheet guides you through questions to ask your student.

Give your student space to grow and mature.

You have already spent years instilling your values; allow them to be realized.

Expect challenges.

The adjustment to college life can be difficult. Remember that challenges are growth opportunities. Your student will build resiliency and better prepare for life after graduation if they can approach challenges with active problem-solving. Be supportive rather than intrusive. Remind them to use their on-campus support systems, and to reach out for help or advice if they need it.

LaFrance is director of 51��’s Counseling and Psychological Services, which focuses on helping students to ameliorate problems that might be obstacles to their growth and development.

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