It’s okay to worry AND they’ll be okay Families in Transition and Your Students’ First Year June Saracuse, M.Ed., Counselling Services Susan Corner, M.A., Student Transition Services

Our Goals for Today’s Presentation  Reflect on your student’s transition to UVic  Predict the questions and challenges  Learn strategies  Apply skills  Become familiar with some of UVic resources.

Parents worry – there is no denying it!  Parents worry AND we need to have faith that our children will figure it out  How can you manage your own worry?  Give permission to make mistakes  Encourage our children to ask for help  Listening and refer to UVic services  Say when you are proud!

Opportunity of a lifetime AND  This year is a major time of change  Your relationship is going to change!  It’s all about balance

Arthur Chickering’s Student Development Theory  Achieving Competence  Managing Emotions  Moving through Autonomy Toward Interdependence  Establishing Identity  Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships  Developing Purpose  Developing Integrity

Developing competence Managing Emotions Moving through Autonomy Toward Interdependence Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships Establishing Identity New Student

Sources of Stress - New Learning?  New Environment  Time Management and Deadlines  Academic Workload Management  Concern about what kind of work they want to do  Concern about what degree will get them there

AND the stuff we all worry about…  Experimenting with evolving self  Self Management  Greater independence  Alcohol & Drugs  Dating/Sexuality (safety)  Lifestyle & balance

How can you facilitate discussion with your child about his or her experiences at school?  Ask what they think about what they learned  Ask how they feel about their classes  Encourage your student to seek information  Discuss acquaintance rape with your sons and your daughters  If there are urgent family situations, communicate openly and honestly

Managing our responses  Maintain a sense of perspective  University students question just about everything  Students want to be treated as adults  Students want to feel loved, supported and accepted

We encourage you to:  Find time to focus on yourself  Use what you have learned today to support your student  Respect your students new level of independence and remain connected  Celebrate your student’s success!

In the coming year…  We hope you feel supported as the parent of a new UVic student  Freedom of Information limits the information we can share with you  Student Affairs staff encourage students to seek appropriate support, which often means talking to their parents or guardians

Your role as a parent “Your role as a parent at this crucial developmental point is a complicated one. It is a time to let go with confidence and allow your children to try on new identities and interests. They need the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. At the same time, you are still their parent, and they need your guidance and wisdom to recognize problems and address them. You walk a fine line to balance these two tensions.” Richard Kadison, M.D. Chief of the Mental Health Services Harvard University Health Services

Congratulations! You are a UVic Parent Questions and Thank You June Saracuse Counselling Services Susan Corner Student Transition Services