WELCOME PARENTS,
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
Presentation by
William A. Erb
Director
Student Health Services
Transition To and Through
University
 Beginning at a University is a time of
transition
 Transition to a university setting can be
viewed as a process in which physical,
spiritual, mental, emotional, social and
career/occupational changes occur
 There are two types of change that face young
adults: Rights of Passage and Campus
Passages
Rights of Passage








1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Leaving Home
Establishing Autonomy and Self-sufficiency
Achieving Emotional Independence
Handling Personal Freedom
Developing An Independent Value System
Developing Relationship Skills
Establishing a Personal Identity
Preparing to Enter the Work World
Campus Passages
 1. Separating From Home
 2. Competing In a New Environment
 3. Managing Academic Demands
 4. Adjusting To Free Time
 5. Developing Healthy Social Relationships
 6. Selecting A Major Field Of Study
 7. Choosing A Healthy Lifestyle
The fine art of Letting Go
Parenting 101:
REMEMBER THIS IS A
TRANSITION FOR BOTH
YOU AND YOUR CHILD
Adjusting to Changes
Things to realize…
 You’re on a new path, too
 Your child needs different things
from you now
 The key is keeping communication
going
What Families Might
Experience
 Profound Sense of Loss
 Extraordinary Sense of Pride
 Redefined Roles
 Fear of Failure
 Joy
 Trepidation and Worry
 Resentment
 Confusion
 Surprise
Conversations You Have to
Have







Preventing sexual assault
Intimacy and self-respect
Drinking and drugs
Your expectations – academic & otherwise
Facebook and MySpace
Money
Express Unconditional love
MAINTAIN A
SUPPORTIVE
RELATIONSHIP WITH
YOUR CHILD
 Let your child make mistakes and stay
calm
 Listen when the complaints come
 Instead of trying to fix it convey
confidence in their ability
MAINTAIN REGULAR
CONTACT WITH YOUR
CHILD BUT ALSO ALLOW
SPACE FOR YOUR CHILD
TO APPROACH YOU
AVOID “INQUISITOR”
MODE QUESTIONS
BE REALISTIC AND
SPECIFIC WITH YOUR
CHILD ABOUT
FINANCIAL ISSUES
BE REALISTIC ABOUT
YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE
REFRAIN FROM
BURDENING YOUR CHILD
WITH PROBLEMS FROM
HOME OVER WHICH THEY
HAVE NO CONTROL
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD
TO USE THE RESOURCES
OF THE UNIVERSITY TO
SOLVE HIS/HER
PROBLEMS
TRY TO AVOID MAKING
MAJOR CHANGES IN THE
HOME ENVIRONMENT
DURING THE FIRST YEAR
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD
TO GET INVOLVED
TRUST YOUR CHILD
MAKING MISTAKES
IS
PART OF THE PROCESS
DO YOUR BEST TO
DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN
YOUR OWN SOCIAL
SUPPORT
Keep On Laughing!
 A sense of humor is essential
 Keep problems in perspective
 Use humor to defuse conflict and
tension
 Laugh with, not at
Remember:
 These are good problems!
 Seek support for yourself
 Give “just enough” to your child
 Keep laughing!