Wellnessmatters
parent edition fall 2007
Dear Parents:
The transition to college can be both exciting and overwhelming for students and parents alike. As parents, you play an important role in your students’ adjustment by setting expectations and being supportive while encouraging them to develop additional support systems on campus.
At The Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) we want to make sure that students know that we are here to help. Our skilled staff is able to assist students in many ways. They may see a counselor one time to discuss an adjustment issue, another time for personal counseling, or another time for assessments that help give direction during the major selection process. Students who visit the CWC find that it is a very comfortable place and an extremely valuable resource to use often throughout their years at Alma.
From the Director:
Sometimes when someone says to us ‘I know exactly how you feel’ we often think to ourselves ‘no you don’t.’ But last week after dropping my youngest daughter off at college, I believe I can truthfully say that I understand completely the range of emotions that many of you may be experiencing right now. I have to admit that even though I have helped thousands of first year students adjust to college (and consider myself somewhat a veteran of the college transition process) I was still bombarded with anxiety about her adjustment to college–and my adjustment to life at home without her.
After my initial mix of emotions subsided I reminded myself that parenting doesn’t stop just because my child is at college – nor should it. Our children still need us, but what they need from us is evolving. This year our responsibility will be to listen and to advise, but not to solve problems for our students; it will be a year where we may need to put on a brave face so our students will spend their energy taking care of themselves– not us; and it will be a year where mistakes are made, and hopefully, we (and our students) will be forgiving.
Being the parent of a college student can be both wonderful and worrisome. As parents we can help each other by sharing our experiences and asking questions. Sometimes just knowing that what we, or our students, are experiencing is normal helps. It is my hope that you will seek out my staff at Counseling, Health and Wellness when you need that reassurance and that you will remember that I am here if you just need someone who understands how you feel.
From the Counselor:
These first few weeks will be a whirlwind for your student (and inevitably, you are in for the ride). Â This road to becoming a college student is often complete with challenges that students and parents did not anticipate and were not prepared for. The initial excitement of meeting new people and having a fresh start can often feel overwhelming, not to mention sharing a room for the first time. Adjusting to a different environment and pace can be intimidating to students. This is also the first change in communication between you and your student, either few or multiple phone calls or e-mails.
We at the Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) focus on assisting your student through the twists and turns of college, helping them stay on the road through the entire college road-trip. We are active resource and are a great starting place (and pit stop) for students. Â Our location (Wilcox North) is a cozy haven, where students can refuel with a little sugar fix and a warm welcome from staff (including 4-legged). Sometimes just having someone to talk to about the unexpected detours, (homesickness, roommate challenges, or any number of surprises) is all that is needed to realize the detours will get better:
Our hope is to be a resource to both you and your student before, during, and after, a ‘bump in the road’ occurs.
