Preparing Your Child for a Thriving, Health-Conscious College Experience

One of the most thrilling and challenging moments in our adult lives is when our kids graduate from high school and head off to college, possibly even grad school, to chase their career dreams. It’s a time filled with pride and worry. Of course, you’re happy for them, but it’s natural to be concerned. How will they handle being on their own for the first time, away from home?

How will they fare with their studies? What about the people they’ll meet? Will these new friends guide them well or lead them astray? Here’s what you can do to help them adopt a healthy lifestyle while they’re at college.

1) Instilling values:
We’ve all heard about “peer pressure,” where young people feel the need to follow their friends’ actions, even if those actions aren’t right. This pressure usually takes hold when the guidance of parents is missing. If you teach your kids from a young age to value your opinions over their peers’, they won’t easily succumb to peer pressure, no matter how far from home they are.

Also, check into the reputation of the college they’re considering. Is substance abuse a big issue on campus? Are the students serious about their studies, or do they spend most of their time partying? If you find the environment too negative, it might be best to discourage your child from attending that school.

2) Visit the college with your child:
Go with your child when they tour the prospective college or university. Observe the campus and ask relevant questions, similar to the ones mentioned above. Pay attention to the dorms where your child will stay and gauge whether they’d be comfortable living there.

3) Keeping in contact:
Once the school year starts, keep in touch through regular letters or emails to see how they’re doing with classes, friendships, and activities. Consider visiting them at school to observe their behavior in this new setting. This visit also gives you a chance to meet and learn more about their new friends.

By taking these steps, you can help your child transition into college life while ensuring they maintain a healthy and positive lifestyle.