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ISSUE #9 September 2007

Your Student’s Transition to College: Help without Hovering
Danette Norman Till, Director of Counseling Services

Many of us met last summer, during Advising and Registration Days, when together we prepared for the excitement and angst of your son or daughter heading off to college. Just a few reminders of what you can expect to feel, particularly if you are a parent of a first-year student:

• Excited that your child has this opportunity to attend college!
• Worried whether your child can handle so much freedom and responsibility.
• A void at home, especially at the dinner table and daily family gatherings.
• Left out because as a parent, you no longer are involved in all aspects of your child’s life.

Your son or daughter may experience new emotions, too:

• Social concerns. “Will I make friends?” or “I am making too much time for friends.”
• Homesickness. “All of this change is difficult.”
• Academic challenges. “This is harder than high school.”
• Excitement. “I have found the right place for me.”

We encourage you to stay in touch with your son or daughter, but let go, too. Urge him or her to remain on campus and not come home during the first few weeks. This is the time for your son or daughter to connect with other students, make new friends, and become comfortable in new surroundings. If he or she is struggling with homesickness, the easiest thing to do is to return home … and miss those opportunities!

Urge your son or daughter to check out campus activities or attend sporting events. Do send e-mails, notes, cards or care packages. Do visit campus to attend events, celebrate your student’s successes, and offer support.   

Here are some more parent-tested tips:

• Let your son or daughter determine the length of your conversations.
• Resist the urge to get involved and “solve” your son's or daughter's problems.
• Ask open-ended questions: “How do you think you could solve that?” or “Who on campus could help you with that?”
• Keep in mind that what you are hearing is through the “lens” of your son or daughter and may only be a part of the story.
• Engage in “adult-to-adult” conversations (not “parent-to-child”).
• Encourage, support, and praise successes (however large or small).

We are glad you and your student have chosen Manchester College and are looking forwarding to watching your son or daughter find his or her place here. Welcome!

Shanon Green is beginning her second year as director of student activities and orientation at Manchester College. She oversees the broad range of activities planned by Manchester’s more than 55 student clubs and organizations and is responsible for organizing Advising & Registration Days and New Student Orientation. Shanon also serves as the advisor to the Manchester Activities Council (MAC), Student Government Association, and Student Budget Board.

Shanon particularly enjoys the comedians MAC brings to campus and the annual events the council plans, such as Big Man on Campus, May Day, and Little Sibs Weekend. Click here for a list of upcoming events sponsored by student clubs and organizations.

Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and a master’s in guidance and counseling from Bowling Green State University. She lives in neighboring Columbia City with her 9-year-old son Tyler. Shanon spends her free time on the golf course with her son and enjoys running, rollerblading and working on her home.

What does Shanon love about MC? “The students! They give me energy and keep me young! I also enjoy working with an incredible staff. It’s truly a team environment here. I am very blessed to work with such wonderful people every day.”

Transportation 
Wabash County Transit provides transportation within Wabash County to a doctor, mental health counselor, pharmacy and stores, etc., between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. For rides, call 260-563-7536 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays (in advance, if possible). $2 maximum one-way fee must have exact change); $5 fee for “no shows”

Questions? Feedback? E-mail familyconnections@manchester.edu.
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