How To Help Your College Student Adjust to Life on Their Own

There are few things as exciting in a young adult’s life as the day they get to leave for college. They finally get their first taste of true freedom after living with their parents for roughly 18 years. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to adjust to this newfound freedom. This can leave them in a very troubling place if they do not get the help they need. Here are four tips to help your college student adjust to life on their own.

Do Not Let Them Neglect Their Health

Scheduling regular visits with the doctor or dentist are going to be the last thing on a young college student’s mind. This means that it is up to you to make sure your child does not completely neglect their health while they are at college. Make sure they are getting some exercise and not exclusively eating junk food. You may also want to schedule any important health checkups for them.

Make Regular Phone Calls

It is estimated that nearly 70% of first-year college students experience severe homesickness at some point during the school year. Since nobody wants their child to feel lost and lonely, you need to help qualm this homesickness. One of the best ways to do this without completely removing their freedom is by regularly talking to your college student on the phone. A short daily conversation will give them the comfort they crave.

Encourage Them to Be Social

It is very easy for college students to get stuck in a rut when they adjusting to their new life. This will cause them to spend all of their free time sitting in the dorm room. The only way they can get the most out of the college experience is by being active on campus. Encourage your son or daughter to join clubs and attend student events. Once they attend a few of these events, they will easily start to build a few important friendships. Life away from home will be much easier when your college student has a few friends they can rely on.

Let Them Make Mistakes

It is not easy to become a responsible adult overnight. This means that your child is bound to make a few mistakes during their time in college. You need to realize these mistakes are all a part of the growth process. Let them learn from these mistakes without getting a lecture from the parents. You will be amazed at how quickly they make the proper adjustments to their lifestyle.

By Emma Sturgis