The Transition to College
Are you the parent of a high school senior preparing for college in the fall? Are you terrified of the transition you will make as your child begins college? Are you experiencing emotions you thought you would not experience surrounding graduation?
Each summer thousands of parents experience an emotional transition as they prepare for the changing of lives. Some parents realize they will not have children to care for anymore as their only or youngest child transitions to college. Other parents are experiencing the college transition for the first time as their oldest or only child prepares to leave home in the next stage of life. Whatever the case, the transition of a child to college can be challenging, not only logistically but also emotionally.
If you are like most parents, you probably have begun experiencing a wide range of emotions. Many parents are incredibly excited for their children as they make the transition to college, yet the excitement is most often coupled with sadness or anxiety about the change for the child and for all family members that will remain at home. What will happen to us now that youre gone? Who will watch the other kids when I need to run an errand? When will you come home? Will we never see you? What if you like college better than being at home and decide to move far away when youre done with school? These questions are common of parents with a graduating senior, yet many times are unspoken because parents want to remain calm, collected, and unobtrusive of their teenage child.
What most parents do not know is that their child is also experiencing a wide range of emotions while preparing for college. Before you take the family to get Indianapolis family counseling, examine the following list of suggestions to help you and your child make the college transition smooth.
1. Be honest with your child. Tell your child how excited you are, but also let your child know that the transition will be hard for you too.
2. Tell your child about the things you will miss most about your child when your child is at college. This is a great way to compliment your child and encourage the transition to college.
3. Speak with your child about making special family time throughout the week or at least twice a month during the summer before the college transition. The desire to be together all the time can be overwhelming for your child, but planning special time for you and your child will help fulfill the needs of both you and your child.
4. Check-in with yourself and your spouse each week to see how the transition is going. Being aware of where you are in the process of this transition is highly beneficial.
5. Ask a family member to help you recognize when you are experiencing increased emotion. Make sure you take time to yourself to experience the highs and lows of this transition.
The months leading up to the college transition can be incredibly fulfilling yet also incredibly emotional. If you notice that you are struggling emotionally with the transition and the above suggestions are difficult for you to try, then I encourage you to contact a counselor in your area to speak about the transition. A counselor can help you make sense of this emotional time and can assist you in the transition of your child to college.
For further information Indianapolis counseling visit www.lotusgroup.biz
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