Admissions Parent Session Web Version

Preparing Your Child for College Life : 

Preparing Your Child for College Life Presentation given to prospective parents during Illuminate & Highlight Preview Day Events

Raise Your Hand if You’re a : 

Raise Your Hand if You’re a

You might relate to these parents’ sentiments expressed after they left their son at college for the first time: : 

You might relate to these parents’ sentiments expressed after they left their son at college for the first time:

Slide 4: 

We left our son Nick alone in his dorm room far from home after nurturing and loving him for 18 years. Our little boy is now a tall, responsible young man facing life on his own.

Slide 5: 

Yes, it’s what good parents everywhere dream of and want for their kids—to become independent adults who fly from our arms into a world where they can make their own mark.

Slide 6: 

But still, the tears come -- for me, mainly because I now know from painful personal experience that there is a certain brevity to childhood. Those wild and wonderful days have vanished forever.”

When Did You Experience the Greatest Amount of Separation Anxiety? : 

When Did You Experience the Greatest Amount of Separation Anxiety? First time you left your baby with a babysitter? First day of kindergarten? First time your child spent night at friend’s house? First time your child went out of town without you, for example, to a camp?

Slide 8: 

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3 These are not OUR children. They belong to God.

Slide 9: 

Who knows best what is best for your child? You The school system Your in-laws God

Slide 10: 

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Slide 11: 

This presentation includes some suggestions to prepare your child to succeed in college.

Slide 12: 

Parenting is one of those rare jobs in which one of the primary goals is to work yourself out of a job. One way this is done is by teaching adolescents how to be more and more in charge of themselves.

Slide 13: 

Resist the “baby boomer temptation” to be a HELICOPTER PARENT

What is a Helicopter Parent? : 

What is a Helicopter Parent? Helicopter parents hover. They are always on the lookout for threats to their children's success and happiness. If a problem does surface, these parents are ready to swoop in and save the day.

Slide 15: 

HELICOPTER PARENTS: A Huge Cultural Phenomenon

Slide 17: 

The college years are a bridge between adolescence and adulthood.

Slide 18: 

I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Slide 19: 

What can you do to help your child come out on the other side of that bridge well-equipped to be a responsible, independent adult?

Slide 21: 

What is one of the keys to student success in college? Managing time Being the life of the party Sleeping in class Being an expert at Halo

Time Management Skills are Critical to College Success : 

Time Management Skills are Critical to College Success It’s no small task for students to learn how to get around campus, do their homework, make new friends, find new fun stuff to do, and get their laundry done, too. Many students found that managing their time was the toughest college assignment of all.

Slide 23: 

Key(s) to getting along with roommates are? Communication Space Responsibility All of the above

Roommate Pointers : 

Roommate Pointers This is a point when kids must GROW UP. When it comes to responsibility, they’re pretty much on their own here. FREEDOM is nice but it needs to be balanced with learning to be CONSIDERATE of others’ needs.

Slide 25: 

What was one of the biggest surprises students said they had after their first year in college? How long a person could stay awake Homesickness Roommates are FUN! How much harder college work is

Be Prepared to Adjust Your Study Habits : 

Be Prepared to Adjust Your Study Habits Student response to this survey question: “What one thing do you wish someone would have told you about before going to college?” Nearly half of all students talked about the new academic level they encountered their first semester and the effort required to reach this new level.

Slide 27: 

One of the things students should do before they leave their room is? Yell at their roommate Lock their door Leave the water running Do a happy dance

Teach Your Students to : 

Recognize the security differences between living at home and living in a community environment. Think about security: “How can I protect my stuff?” Be aware of insurance coverage issues for those who have a car on campus. Teach Your Students to

Slide 29: 

How often does your child do his or her own laundry?

Laundry Pointers in a College Environment : 

Laundry Pointers in a College Environment Don’t leave clothes in the washing machine or dryer after cycle is complete. Multi-task: bring a book or laptop, study, write a letter.

Slide 31: 

In order for students to get a handle on their spending habits, they should? Spend all of their money as soon as possible Borrow a lot of money from friends Sell their blood/plasma Write down where their money goes

Teaching Your Child to Manage Their Spending : 

Teaching Your Child to Manage Their Spending Sit down and talk to your child about spending guidelines. Together, you have to work out and agree to some initial guidelines that seem reasonable. Managing credit/debit cards, bank accounts, and learning to live on a budget all require practice and experience BEFORE going off to college.

Slide 33: 

One of the best ways for students to fit in socially in college is to? Start dating immediately Go to every activity they can Just hang out with different people Spend their evenings at Huddle House

Social Life : 

Social Life Everyone is looking for security. It’s real tempting for students to jump into a big serious relationship when they first get to college. It’s best not to limit themselves to only one ‘best’ friend. Best advice you can give them: Make as many close friends as they can.

Slide 35: 

The worst thing that students can do to try to get over homesickness is? Write a letter to someone Play cards with friends in the dorm Talk about their feelings with their parents Go home every weekend

Dealing with Homesickness : 

Dealing with Homesickness Encourage your child not to come home the first month. It only makes it harder when they come back. Give your child space to build relationships. learn to stand on his or her own feet. establish a routine. gain confidence in his or her independence. Make dates to communicate.

What Students Should Bring : 

What Students Should Bring Use packing lists to help guide them in the process.  Pack summer and transitional clothes Swap out clothing at breaks. Bring clearly MARKED storage bins/boxes for storing seasonal clothing. Find out who their roommate will be and coordinate who will bring what.

Slide 38: 

College Student Sleeping Habits Students say they sleep six to eight hours a night. When they sleep seems to vary and is not very predictable: midnight to 7 a.m. 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and afternoon nap

The number one way germs spread in a college community environment is through not washing hands properly : 

The number one way germs spread in a college community environment is through not washing hands properly A quick rinse with water won’t cut it. It doesn’t have to be antibacterial soap; any soap will do. Other health/medical concerns: Let your child call to make his or her own medical appointments. Teach your child how to properly self-dose medication, such as cold and headache medicines.

Slide 40: 

Finish the quote:College is like a box of chocolates… It’s got CAFFEINE and SUGAR!! You never know what you’re gonna get It makes you gain weight It is sometimes full of nuts

Slide 41: 

It’s easy to put on the “FRESHMAN 15” Snacking often seems to replace regular meals. Students tend to eat in order to avoid studying help them stay awake while studying reward themselves for studying

College Life = Irregular Eating : 

College Life = Irregular Eating Ordering out for pizza or making the ever-popular border run (Taco Bell) can get expensive in a hurry. Since class schedules vary widely and many students participate in extra-curricular activities, most people keep food in their rooms.

Conclusion : 

Conclusion Gradually “turn over the reigns” while your child is still at home. Accept the fact that your child will make mistakes; it’s part of the learning process. Enjoy seeing the fruit of your labors as your child continues to grow and mature and blossom into adulthood. Let go and let God.

Check Out Parent Resourceswww.bryan.edu/parents : 

Check Out Parent Resourceswww.bryan.edu/parents

Slide 45: 

Office of Student Life423.775.7209www.bryan.edu/student_life Dr. Peter Held, VP Student Life Dr. Liz Moseley, Counselor Mr. Matt Benson, Dean of Spiritual Formation Mr. Ben Norquist, Asst. Director of Spiritual Formation Mrs. Judy Olsen, Administrative Asst. Mr. Bruce Morgan, Dean of Students Amanda Allquist, RD Kristina Anderson, RD Myra Goza, RD Tim Shetter, RD Matt Williams, RD