In just one week, more than 20,000 students will head back to campus for the first day of class at Missouri State University. It’s a time of high emotion and big feelings for many, but especially freshmen and their parents.

In this special two-part series, Tammy Dixon, assistant director of the Missouri State Counseling Center, will address these feelings from both the parent and student perspectives.

As parents navigate life without their child at home — sometimes as an empty nester — Dixon says it’s a good time to refocus on yourself. Pick that hobby back up or volunteer for a community service.

Tackling college anxiety

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