You’ve helped them apply for scholarships, register for Texan Orientation and move-in to their new home. However, a parent (or guardian’s) job is never truly done!
Now that your Texan is safe and sound at Tarleton State University, there are a few things you can do to ensure that they have a seamless first semester of college.
SUPPORTING YOUR NEW TARLETON STATE TEXAN
Establish open communication
Believe it or not, your Texan will miss you just as much as you miss them! They might not show it by calling and texting every second of every day but that doesn’t make it any less true.
With that being said, it’s important to give them space to adjust to their new world. It is equally important to answer when they call (because they WILL call). Once the excitement of Transition Week and WOW Week wears off, your student will be eager to share their adventures with you.
When they do, ask questions! Find out how they’re adjusting to being away from home and offer any support they may need. However, asking questions also means listening.
Listen without judgment and only offer advice if they ask for it. Keep in mind that they are a mini-adult now. The path they forge for themselves should reflect their own beliefs, values and interests. As their parent/guardian, it is important that you offer a listening ear and gentle heart.
Let them roam and know that they will come back (probably for food and free laundry).
Visit
Whether you live 5 miles away or 5,000 miles away, your student will appreciate the times you come visit them on campus.
(Pro Tip: Make sure to let your student know you intend on visiting. Although surprise visits can be fun at times, it might feel overwhelming and poorly timed if you choose to surprise them with no prior knowledge of their plans.)
Tarleton State offers a number of visiting opportunities for parents/guardians looking to reconnect with their student while also being engulfed in the university’s rich traditions.
Events like Family Weekend and Homecoming Week offer the perfect environment for reconnecting with family and friends!
(Pro Tip: The official Tarleton State and Tarleton Student social media accounts will share information and updates about Family Weekend and Homecoming as the dates approach.)
Encourage them to grow & get involved
College is the perfect time to explore one’s interests! A good rule of thumb is to try every organization/club that interests you to see if it’s something you might want to pursue post-grad.
Being involved on campus gives students the opportunity to connect while also strengthening their soft skills like communication, leadership and creativity.
Tarleton State offers organizations/clubs that satisfy a number of interests.
If you notice your student struggling to adjust, encourage them to expand their network by finding their people in places that bring them comfort. For example, if your student has a passion for sports, playing a club or intramural sport might help them find friends while further exploring their pre-existing passions!
Send care packages
Food is the key to every college kid’s heart! Send your student a care package with their favorite treats and knick knacks to give them a piece of home! If you don’t want to put together a box, companies like SnackBOX offer premade care packages with some of the best goodies around!
Remind them of the end goal
Although college is meant for growth and exploration, it is also very important to remember why you started.
Your student will endure a lifetime of experiences in just four short years. They’ll find friends, get jobs, find love, experience heartbreak, pass and fail tests and establish an addiction to Chick-fil-a sauce.
As their parent/guardian, it is your job to keep them on track to graduate. Never let them forget why they are there.
Remind them that although college can feel like the best four years of their life, it is always important to be thinking about the next 20+.
The pathway from convocation to commencement is shorter than people think and every little moment between the two matters.
LET GO
It’s easier said than done but you need to trust that you’ve done 18 years of great work shaping them into the proud Tarleton Texan that they are now. Some of the best lessons are learned through trial and error.
Be there for them through the good and bad times but also give them the space to become an adult.
Also, CONGRATULATIONS! You have successfully raised a brand new college student. (That’s very impressive!)
If you ever feel a little too disconnected to your student, join the parent portal to stay in-the-know about all things Tarleton State University!