It’s okay to worry AND they’ll be okayFamilies in Transition and Your Students’ First Year

June Saracuse, M.Ed., Counselling ServicesSusan Corner, M.A., Student Transition Services

Our Goals for Today’s Presentation

Reflect on your student’s transition to UVic Predict the questions and challenges Learn strategies Apply skills Become familiar with some of UVic

resources.

Parents worry – there is no denying it!

Parents worry AND we need to have faith that our children will figure it out

How can you manage your own worry?

Give permission to make mistakes Encourage our children to ask for help Listening and refer to UVic services Say when you are proud!

Opportunity of a lifetime AND

This year is a major time of change Your relationship is going to change! It’s all about balance

Arthur Chickering’s Student Development Theory

Achieving Competence Managing Emotions Moving through Autonomy Toward

Interdependence Establishing Identity Developing Mature Interpersonal

Relationships Developing Purpose Developing Integrity

Developing competence

Managing Emotions

Moving through Autonomy Toward Interdependence

Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships

Establishing Identity

New Student

Sources of Stress - New Learning?

New Environment Time Management and Deadlines Academic Workload Management Concern about what kind of work they

want to do Concern about what degree will get

them there

AND the stuff we all worry about…

Experimenting with evolving self Self Management Greater independence Alcohol & Drugs Dating/Sexuality (safety) Lifestyle & balance

How can you facilitate discussion with your child about his or her experiences at school?

Ask what they think about what they learned

Ask how they feel about their classes Encourage your student to seek

information Discuss acquaintance rape with your

sons and your daughters If there are urgent family situations,

communicate openly and honestly

Managing our responses

Maintain a sense of perspective

University students question just about everything

Students want to be treated as adults

Students want to feel loved, supported and accepted

We encourage you to:

Find time to focus on yourself Use what you have learned today to

support your student Respect your students new level of

independence and remain connected Celebrate your student’s success!

In the coming year…

We hope you feel supported as the parent of a new UVic student

Freedom of Information limits the information we can share with you

Student Affairs staff encourage students to seek appropriate support, which often means talking to their parents or guardians

Your role as a parent

“Your role as a parent at this crucial developmental

point is a complicated one. It is a time to let go with

confidence and allow your children to try on new

identities and interests. They need the opportunity to

make mistakes and learn from them. At the same

time, you are still their parent, and they need your

guidance and wisdom to recognize problems and

address them. You walk a fine line to balance these

two tensions.”

Richard Kadison, M.D. Chief of the Mental Health ServicesHarvard University Health Services

Congratulations! You are a UVic Parent

Questions and Thank You

June Saracuse

Counselling Services

Susan Corner

Student Transition Services