What Can I Do to Help My Child From a Distance?

Of course, you are still a parent or caregiver to your almost-adult, and they still need your support and guidance during the college years. Here are some ways you can express your caring and enhance your child's experience at Drake University.

1. Stay in touch!
   Even though your child is experimenting with independent choices, they still need to know that you're there and are available to talk over both normal events and difficult issues. Make arrangements to write or call your child on a regular basis.
2. Allow space for your child to set the agenda for some of your conversations.
   If they need your help or support, the subject is more likely to come up when they are ready and when you offer space and support. 
3. Be realistic with your college student about financial matters.
   Most students come to school with a fairly detailed plan about how tuition, fees, books, and room and board will be paid for, and what the family's expectations are about spending money. Being specific at the outset may help avoid misunderstandings later.
4. Be realistic about academic achievement and grades.
   Not every first year who excelled academically in high school will be an all-A student at Drake University. Developing or refining the capacity to work independently and consistently and to demonstrate mastery can be more important than grades, as long as the student meets the basic academic requirements set out by the University. Again, these are choices that each individual student makes, though certainly it is appropriate to help your child set their own long-term goals.
5. If your child does experience difficulties at Drake University, encourage them to take advantage of the wealth of resources available for students.
   For academic issues, talking with the professor, teaching assistant, or academic advisor is probably the first step. If your child could benefit from personal or academic counseling, the University Counseling Center and Access and Success services are available on campus. You can help your child by reminding him or her of the many resources available on campus.

We hope these ideas and suggestions will be helpful to you in dealing with some of the difficulties parents experience when their child goes to college. The freshman year at Drake University is a tremendously exciting time, both for students and their families, and we hope and trust that you and your child will have a rewarding Bulldog experience!