How Parents Can Help College Students Succeed

As parents, we all want our children to succeed, especially when they’re heading off to college and we’re not sure how they will handle all the challenges college can present. The transition from high school to college can be overwhelming, not just for students but for parents too. You want to support them, but you’re not always sure how. This blog will provide you with practical tips for how parents can help college students in their journey toward success, and introduce you to our College Success Coaching Program—a comprehensive resource designed to guide your child through their first year and beyond.

1. Encourage Time Management Skills

Time management is crucial for college success. Parents can help college students by encouraging them to:

• Use a Planner: Whether it’s a physical planner or a digital app, keeping track of assignments, exams, and social activities can help them stay organized.
• Set Priorities: Help them understand how to prioritize tasks. Balancing academics, social life, and self-care is essential.
• Create a Routine: A consistent daily schedule can help them manage their time effectively.

2. Promote Healthy Habits

Healthy habits contribute significantly to academic success. Parents can help college students succeed by encouraging them to:

• Eat (at least somewhat) Nutritious Meals: Balanced nutrition fuels the brain and body.
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can reduce stress and improve concentration.
• Get Enough Sleep: Adequate sleep is vital for cognitive function and overall well-being.

3. Foster Independence

College is a time for students to learn how to take care of themselves. You can support their independence by:

• Encouraging Problem-Solving: Instead of immediately stepping in, guide them to find solutions on their own. The best way to do this is to keep asking questions about what they want, what they’ve tried, and what haven’t tried that might work for them. Whatever answers they come to, let them try it out first and see how it goes!
• Supporting Self-Advocacy: Encourage them to communicate with professors, advisors, and campus resources directly. Be careful not to micromanage them though! Being too involved in what they’re doing and how they’re doing it is the best way to discourage them from taking your advice or talking with you about anything in their life.

4. Stay Connected

While fostering independence is important, staying connected with your child is equally crucial. Here’s how you can strike a balance:

• Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular video calls or phone calls to catch up and offer support. Make these less often than you initially might want and make sure these are opportunities for you to catch up and connect personally. DO NOT make this a time for them to report to you what they are doing or a time for you to constantly give advice.
• Be a Good Listener: Sometimes, they just need someone to listen. Offer a sympathetic ear without immediately offering solutions. The more you push your suggestions, the more likely they are to not listen or to stop calling.

5. Encourage Campus Involvement

Being involved on campus can enhance your child’s college experience. Help college students by advocating for them to:

• Join Clubs and Organizations: These can provide a sense of community and help them make new friends. It’s also the easiest way to connect with people that they already have something in common with so breaking the ice is much easier.
• Attend Campus Events: Participating in events can help them feel more connected to their college. This is especially important the first semester when there are hundreds of events happening with new students looking to make friends.

6. Utilize Campus Resources

Most colleges offer a variety of resources to help students succeed and they are often paid for through tuition! Encourage your child to:

• Visit the Academic Support Center: Many colleges offer tutoring, writing assistance, and study skills workshops that can help them plan, strategize, and adjust their academic efforts to do better in classes.
• Use the Career Services: These not only help with internships, job searches, and career counseling, but many offer self-discovery opportunities like personality types, career interest inventories, and Gallup Strengths Coaching.
• Access Mental Health Services: Encourage them to seek help if they’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Prevention is always better than trying to overcome bigger challenges, so see if their school offers Life Coaching or counseling services.

Introducing Our College Success Coaching Program

While these tips are a great starting point, it’s not always great coming from parents since students often want help from anyone but their parents. For more personalized guidance from an external source, parents can best help college students by checking out our College Success Coaching Program.

Our program is designed to help first-year college students thrive academically, professionally, and personally. We focus on:

• Time Management and Organization: Personalized strategies to keep your child on track.
• Building Confidence: Helping your child gain the confidence they need to navigate college life successfully.
• Social Integration: Guidance on making friends and getting involved on campus.
• Healthy Habits: Establishing routines that promote physical and mental well-being.
• Career Development: Early career planning and professional development.

Why Choose Our Program?

• Experienced Coaches: Our coaches are experienced professionals who understand the unique challenges of college life. Our lead coach, Kurtis Vanderpool, was even named the Top Life Coach for Young Adults by Life Coach Magazine
• Personalized Support: We offer one-on-one coaching tailored to your child’s specific strengths and challenges.
• Proven Success: Our program has helped hundreds of students transition smoothly into college life and achieve their goals, ultimately setting them up for success in the real world.

By enrolling your child in our College Success Coaching Program, you’re giving them the tools and support they need to succeed in college and beyond. It’s an investment in their future that will pay off in countless ways.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your child through their college journey is one of the best gifts you can give them. By encouraging time management, promoting healthy habits, fostering independence, staying connected, encouraging campus involvement, and utilizing campus resources, you’re setting them up for success. And for that extra boost, our College Success Coaching Program is here to help.

Let’s work together to ensure your child’s college experience is everything they—and you—hope it will be. Visit The College Success Coach today to learn more and sign up for our program.