Empowering Transitions
By The Center for Cura Personalis
Transitions can be hard, even for those of us who have experienced many of them in life. Now, take a moment to put yourself into your student’s shoes, about to embark on this new experience called, “college.” This new adventure may be near or far from home, include lots of high school friends or none at all, and involve new seasons, foods, or many other things your student has rarely experienced. For some of our students, these changes are exciting. For others, terrifying. Here are a few things to keep in mind as your student begins this transition to college.
- Talk about transitions. Now is a great time to think about how your student has handled change in the past. For those students who seamlessly handle change and transition, this may not be an issue; college is just another exciting adventure. For those who struggle with change, now is a great time to talk about what things your student can do to make this change easier. Helping your student identify things that have worked to make change easier in the past is a great way to make this impending change go more smoothly. Keep in mind that homesickness happens, even at college. If you think your student might struggle with this, start these conversations now.
- Encourage your student to fill out forms and make appointments regarding college. Rather than filling out forms and making appointments for your student, encourage your student to complete these tasks themselves. The challenge occurs when students are on campus trying to answer questions about forms they never saw and never filled out. Sometimes the answers parents may fill in are very different than student responses. Have your student fill out any forms and make their own appointments with campus resources. This is a great first opportunity for students to show the adult-like responsibility that college requires.
- Consider involvement opportunities. If your student was involved in high school clubs, service or sports, college may be a great place to continue that involvement. Gonzaga has many great opportunities for students to get involved. Your student’s Resident Assistant will be offering floor/hall activities throughout the year. Students can join one of over 100 active and recognized student clubs that cover a wide range of interests. The Center for Community Action and Service Learning has many service activities, from mentoring local school students to helping with Campus Kitchens. Students can also get involved in intramural sports, organized outdoor adventures or peer health education, just to name a few opportunities. Needless to say, there are lots of ways to get involved. To learn more, encourage your student to visit gonzaga.edu/getinvolved . If you know your student has the tendency to get overinvolved, now is a great time to talk about prioritizing! As we often tell students, you can do anything, but you can’t do EVERYTHING! Consider encouraging the deep exploration of something your student is interested in, rather than a surface-level knowledge of everything.
- Build healthy habits now. We have said it before, and will continue to say it—those students who regularly practice healthy habits such as eating health foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep report having significantly fewer, if any, mental health issues. Additionally, those who regularly exercise and get enough restful sleep are significantly more likely to report no difficulties handling issues with academics, relationships, and family problems. Help your student develop or renew a commitment to these things, and talk about how your student can maintain these habits once they arrive at GU. Additionally, if your student regularly saw a counselor or took medication during their time in high school, those things should continue during college, and likely in Spokane, rather than waiting for visits when they come home. If you have questions about getting connected to a practitioner or about your student’s medical care at GU or in the Spokane area, please call our Health and Counseling Center now, rather than waiting (509-313-4052). A little bit of these healthy and preventative behaviors can really go a long way!
- Ask for help. Gonzaga has a robust network of professionals who are here to educate and support your student throughout their college journey and these transitions. The Center for Cura Personalis is a great place to start if you are worried about the well-being of your student. Give us a call at (509)313-2CCP (2227).
These simple actions can help prepare students for the many adventures and challenges that Gonzaga will hold over their college career.