Resources for Parents

• General Information for Parents
• Consultation Service for Parents
• About Parents’ Needs
• About your Student’s Needs
• Recommended Reading

General Information for Parents
Having a son or daughter begin their university experience can be a very exciting and yet stressful time for the entire family.

An important part of the challenge facing parents is negotiating the balance between continuing to support and parent your student while simultaneously letting go enough for them to establish their independence and autonomy. For instance, parents and students often have to reestablish house rules reflective of students’ growing independence.

This process often involves renegotiating the relationship you have with your son or daughter in an ongoing manner to meet their evolving needs as they develop.

Just as your student is living through a normal process of growth, development, and change, so will your family during this period.

Consultation Service for Parents
CPSC staff offer brief consultation services for parents of Rowan University students. Consultation involves sharing knowledge and expertise to assist parents in responding more effectively to concerns they may have about their Rowan student.

Although we cannot disclose private information about students in counseling due to confidentiality laws, we listen to parents’ concerns, and offer information and guidance.

If you have a concern about your student, please contact the Center at 256-4222.

back to top >>

About Parents’ Needs
During this important period of transition for your family, it is normal for parents to feel many confusing and conflicting emotions when their son or daughter leaves home. These feelings may include joy, sadness, loss, relief, apprehension, and hopefulness. We encourage parent to talk about these feelings with family, friends, clergy, or some other source of support.

Having your son or daughter attend the university is reflective of your success as a parent. Be proud of yourselves!

About your Student’s Needs
Even though your son or daughter is becoming more independent and making more adult decisions, they still need to know that you are available for support. They need you to discuss both difficult issues and normal life occurrences.

It can be very helpful to negotiate realistic expectations with your son or daughter regarding finances. Be specific about your plans for paying for tuition, fees, books, room, board, and other expenses. Establish a clear understanding of who is to be responsible for which expenses, and then follow through and expect your student to do likewise. If you are realistic and clear about expectations at the outset you may be able to avoid future misunderstandings.

Establish realistic expectations about grades as well. It is not unusual for a student to do poorly academically their first semester as they adjust to the very different experiences and responsibilities of the University education and life. It is also important for many students to explore some of the various academic options and offerings of the university before choosing a major.

If you do develop a concern about your son or daughter’s emotional well being while they are at Rowan, encourage them to contact us here at the Counseling Center. The Center provides personal counseling free of charge to currently enrolled Rowan students. Counseling Center records are confidential and do not become part of a student’s educational records. No information, including whether a student has sought counseling is revealed to anyone outside the Center, including parents, without the written consent of the student.

Recommended Reading
Making the Most of College, Richard J. Light, Harvard University Press, 2001.

back to top >>