"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. 

One is roots; the other is wings." 

~Hodding Carter 

The transition from high school to college is yet another turning point in your student's life. It is exciting, challenging, stressful, unpredictable, difficult, and exhilarating. However, while some students relish the opportunities that their new-found independence brings, other students are dealing with either existing or emerging emotional challenges. 

These emotional issues can prevent your student from achieving the academic and social success that you want for them. Aside from normal developmental issues that each college student will face—forming their identity, developing relationships with peers, and separation and individuation from family and home environment—additional stressors are involved with roommates, homesickness, fitting in, taking exams, choosing a major, financial difficulties, managing time, increased freedom and responsibility, ever-changing technology, and competition. 

Tips for the proactive parent: 

  • Recognize that emotional issues are a leading reason students struggle, and college emotional health is a critical part of the college transition. 
  • If your students already receive mental health treatment, encourage them to work with their mental health providers to determine how their treatment will continue once they arrive on campus. 
  • Educate yourself on the issues of emotional distress so that you can notice signs of a larger problem. 
  • Encourage your students to seek help if they appear to be struggling. 

Remember, the healthy coping skills students learn in college will help them to adjust to life after they graduate as well. 

To help your student, we recommend: 

  • Don't panic 
  • Be prepared for change and struggle 
  • Offer encouragement and support, while giving them their space 
  • Stay in touch 
  • Listen carefully 
  • Be realistic 
  • Don't take over their responsibilities

What about confidentiality? 

The Counseling Center recognizes that parents and guardians are concerned about their student's well-being, and guiding your student to seek help on campus is a first step. However, our staff is legally and ethically bound to keep therapy sessions confidential. The best source of information about the counseling process is often the student.   

Staff will not be able to discuss your student's participation unless a release of information is on file in the Counseling Center granting permission to speak with you.  

The only time we are permitted to share information without first securing a release of information is if there was imminent risk of harm to self or someone else, through our mandated reporting of child and dependent adult abuse/neglect, or through court order during legal proceedings. 

Please keep in mind that although the Counseling Center cannot provide you with information on whatever transpires in your student's therapy sessions, you, as a parent or guardian, are welcome to call our office to share your concerns or to get answers to general questions about on-campus services. 

For additional information and links to various resources please visit our Resources for Students page where we link to various resources on an assortment of topics. 

Additional resources for more information: