Changes you may have to deal with
Your son, daughter or partner may be settling in successfully or be struggling
Dealing with your own feelings
Parents and partners may:
- Feel left out if not familiar with the workings of a university
- Feel alienated when the University will not release information due to privacy laws (e.g. fees, exam results)
- Experience changes in family dynamics and amount of time together
- Be pressured by changed financial situations
- Be concerned about student safety and their ability to manage in a large, diverse institution
Keep in mind the benefits of study, in career, earning potential and fulfilment.
Helping partners or young adults
Support services are available to help with adjusting to university life.
Helping partners or young adults involves understanding what they are going through.
Be ready to discuss any changes in:
- Family dynamics
- Friends and relationships
- Paid work and finances
- Study requirements
Supporting off-campus students, international students and students returning to study provides extra challenges.
Tips and challenges
Appreciate the challenges in their first-year
Allow them some time and independence to adjust to:
- Different teaching methods and manner of learning
- Different lifestyle opportunities and distractions
- New location, subjects, grading scales and terminology
- New peers - a large group of high achieving students
- New expenses (for learning, travel, accommodation, food)
Be interested in their university experience and its consequences
- Know important dates - exam and assessment submission dates
- Accept that study will take time away from family life and responsibilities
- Schedule weekly family or couple time, and plan for more during semester breaks
- Discuss finances, extra costs of study, and how to manage them
- Manage stress caused by changes in part or full-time work and income
- Discuss meeting new people and getting involved in on-campus activities
- Ensure safety on campus by awareness of security services
Be especially supportive in the first semester and first year
- Understand that study can be tiring and reduce time for other things
- Encourage good study habits
- Be supportive if grades drop initially - adjusting can take time
- Encourage them to contact staff or seek help if they need it
- Watch for signs of isolation or over socializing - encourage balance
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