PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE 2017
7
Ways to help your
homesick student By Grace Palmieri campus@idsnews.com @grace_palmieri
Moving away from home to a new, unfamiliar place can be difficult at first. Homesickness isn’t uncommon among college freshmen, and when they need someone to talk to, they often turn to you — their parents. Here are some ways to help your student adjust to life away from home. Being there Be willing to listen to your child’s feelings and needs. Sometimes it’s nice for students to have someone familiar to talk to. They don’t always need advice, just someone who will listen. It’s important for students to talk to someone at home a few times each week or even once a day at the beginning of their freshman year. Keeping busy Encourage your child to stay on campus as often as possible. This is the best way
to adjust to college life in a new place. This gives students the chance to hang out with friends and classmates and not think so much about home. Keeping busy is always a great way to take your mind off of things that make you sad, worried or stressed. Goal-setting Help your child set goals for himself/herself. This can be for the week, semester or year. It can give them a purpose and something to spend time on so their thoughts aren’t consumed by home. Enjoying alone time While making friends is an important part of adjusting to college life, it’s important for your student to enjoy their alone time. It might help to make a list of activities they like to do outside of class, and ensure they make time for those activities. A care package Send your student a care package. It is always a nice reminder that you’re
thinking of them. Head to page 10 for some ideas on what to send. Visiting campus Plan a visit to campus – you can spend a weekend exploring campus and Bloomington with your son or daughter. Check out different shops and restaurants and see what your child has been up to at IU. Check pages 9 and 16 for more ideas on when to visit, where to stay and where to go. Additional guidance More than anything, it’s important to remember homesickness is something many new college students deal with. It’s rare this leads to something more serious like anxiety or depression, but if you notice your student’s homesickness starting to trigger symptoms of mental illness, encourage them to seek guidance from a mental health professional at IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
Don’t get swallowed up by debt. Even the best students can use guidance when it comes to being smart about finances. At MoneySmarts, IU’s award-winning financial literacy program, we offer free services to help your student make good financial decisions in college and beyond.
#getmoneysmart
moneysmarts.iu.edu
f IU MoneySmarts i @iumoneysmarts t @iumoneysmarts
IDS FILE PHOTO
A couple dips their feet in Showalter Fountain on August 18, 2014 outside the IU Auditorium.