Freshman Year: Home for the Summer
Before you know it, your student may be packing up and coming home for the summer. We have a few tips for conversations you may want to have with your student to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.
- Schedule time with your student to make sure activities that are important to you aren’t lost in the shuffle.
- Have a conversation with your student about expectations for schedules, housework, and behavior during the summer. Decide whether the original rules of the house still apply, and also consider some extra flexibility to take into account your student’s new-found independence and autonomy.
Summer also can be a particularly good time to assess how financial arrangements worked during your student’s first year, and to determine whether adjustments are needed for the future.
- Start by asking: Was it difficult to get through the first year with the amount of money available? If so, why? What changes, if any, do we need to make for next year?
- If financial problems did arise, talk with your student about taking on a part-time job. A commitment of working ten to fifteen hours per week not only provides extra income for your student, but also may be a valuable out-of-class experience. If your student has already had a part-time job, were his or her grades affected? If so, was that due to working too many hours?
Lastly, if finances fell short the first year, the Office of Student Financial Aid can be an excellent resource for students and families.