The New Year is a time for new starts and that includes, for many, making resolutions! For your student, the New Year means the start of a new semester, an opportunity to improve on the past semester as she gets closer to reaching her goals. Below are some resolutions we as parents can make to help our student:
1) Resolve to work harder at the “letting go” process. Work to remind yourself that your student is becoming the independent individual that you want her to be. Call a bit less. Text a bit less. Respect her decisions. Sometimes, bite your tongue.
2) Resolve to meet all deadlines on time. Pay tuition bills on time. File the FAFSA early. Make housing deposit on time. Make Family Weekend reservations or Commencement reservations early.
3) Resolve to accept the changes in your student. Enjoy the adult she is becoming.
4) Resolve not to ask your student whether she’s found a summer job, chosen her major, or what she’ll do after she graduates. At least, don’t ask as often.
5) Resolve to spend more time listening to your student this year – really listening – between the lines.
6) Resolve to trust the values you have taught your student as you raised her. Look for signs of those values in her actions.
7) Resolve to talk to your student about college finances this year. Let her be part of the planning for tuition bills, loans, scholarships. Help her understand the bigger picture.
8) Resolve to do something new for yourself this year. Take up a new hobby, nurture yourself. Let your student see you as a role model.
9) Resolve to review and/or rethink your ultimate goals for your college student. What do you really want for her from her college experience? Is it all in her GPA? Does it involve a career? Life satisfaction? Fulfillment? Think long-term.
10) Resolve to tell your college student as often as you can that you are proud of her and you know she’s accomplishing great things.
(adapted from College Parent Central)