Parenting from Afar: Tips for Supporting Your College Student from a Distance
Makenna Pringle
Parenting a college student can seem like a daunting task. From instilling healthy habits to having hard conversations, here’s what you can do to help ensure your student thrives at school. ↖ This heading is for screen readers and wont be visible on the page.
The transition from high school to college life is often a time for both excitement and nervousness. As a parent, it can be difficult to navigate the balance between being there for your student and letting them fly free.
Whether they need social, academic or emotional assistance, you can equip yourself and your student with helpful tools and ideas for dealing with challenges they may come across during this transformative time of their lives.
Here are our tips for supporting your student from a distance without overstepping!
1. Consider the individual needs of your student
Every person is unique. As your student acclimates to life at college, it’s important to consider their individual personality type and learning style in the actions you take.
If your student has always been a self-starter who has a passion for their schooling, then they likely won’t need much academic support but may need a helping hand in figuring out their social life on campus. If they’re an extrovert who thrives in people-oriented environments but puts self-care on the back burner, then maybe the best support you can offer is a care package shipped to their residence hall or housing complex!
2. Create a space for open and honest dialogue
The journey into successful college life is not often one without friction. Your student may experience ups and downs in their emotional state and need someone to talk to, which is common for anyone going through major life changes.
By building a foundational level of trust and providing your student with a calm, supportive, non-judgmental environment, you can be the one they turn to when they deal with mental health challenges. Creating a space where they can let their guard down and emotions out can be pivotal to their success in their higher education journey.
3. Visit their college campus during events
While it’s important to give your student room to grow and thrive on their own, university-sponsored events are a great excuse to visit them at school and get your own taste of school spirit.
For example, Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses host Preview Day, Family Weekend and much more, all excellent opportunities to stop by and show off your Eagle pride.
4. Encourage healthy habits
Physical health should always be a priority, and instilling positive habits in your student can help them stay on top of their routine in a new environment. From healthy eating habits to drinking water throughout the day to wearing sunscreen, promoting the importance of health-conscious behavior to your student can be key to ensuring their well-being from a distance.
On the Daytona Beach campus, Embry‑Riddle students can use the Eagle Fitness Center to stay active or meet with Embry‑Riddle's resident registered dietician to get help with creating a delicious and nutritious meal plan.
On our Prescott campus, students can explore the surrounding area with a hike around nearby Willow Lake or visit the Athletics Center for their fitness routine.
5. Familiarize yourself with campus resources
This is a great way to help provide your student with helpful options in times of need, as well as providing yourself with peace of mind when it comes to their health and happiness.
At Embry‑Riddle, there are a variety of resources available to students. The Counseling Centers on both the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses exist solely to enhance the emotional welfare of students, the Academic Advancement Center and Tutoring Center offer peer tutoring and supplemental instruction, while Health and Wellness Services and the Wellness Center are located directly on campus to care for students who are feeling under the weather. There also are a wide variety of clubs and organizations where students can make valuable connections and create their own support system.
Finding Balance
As your student leaves the nest and learns to fly, it’s important to find the balance between being a helping hand and allowing them to maintain and become familiar with their newfound independence.
Sending a child off to college can be a bittersweet experience for any parent or caregiver, but by providing them with a strong support system and empowering them to make the right choices, you can be a positive asset to your student in this exciting new chapter of their life.