Homesickness
Whether your student is used to going away for short periods of time or not, homesickness can hit. It can also be very random when it hits, and it can seem very difficult for the student to manage.
Parental tips:
-
Reaffirm their decision to go off to college
-
Don’t say things like “I wish you were home.” Instead remind them of the fun they are having at home and how many things they can share with you when they come home for the holidays.
-
Try not to call so often. Set up a scheduled time, or a specific amount of times that you will communicate with your student. Too much calling or a heavy reliance on the cell phone will not allow the student to begin the transition into making their own decisions.