A New Chapter: College

Summer is upon us and we are at the end of another school year!  In the midst of the fun summer activities, you and your high school student (or graduate!) might also be getting ready for that next big step in both your lives:  College.

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Photo credit: www.transitionyear.org

Whether you’re a first time parent thinking about or getting ready to send your child off to higher education or a seasoned pro, the transition process from high school to college is different for every family member.   It is easy to get caught up in talking about majors, classes, social events on campuses, and being independent, but we sometimes forget to talk about the importance of emotional health and well-being.  Luckily, there is a website called Transition Year that helps students and parents prepare for these changes and challenges.

Transition Year is developed by The Jed Foundation, an organization that works to protect the emotional health of college students.  Transition Year aims to provide parents with tools that will help support their child’s emotional support and well-being while at college.

The website has sections related to wherever you and your child might be in the college search process-  choosing a school, making the transition, and attending college.  On top of that, there is even a CollegeWiki that allows you to explore a school’s academic, social, and emotional supports available to students.

Do you have any advice or things you wished you knew about talking to your child about their emotional health, well-being, and supports during transition periods?

 

 

 

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