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Thrilled |
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Fearful |
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Anxious |
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Confused |
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Overwhelmed |
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Sad |
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Excited |
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Happy |
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Scared |
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Relieved |
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Give yourself permission to acknowledge ALL of
your |
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emotions - both positive and negative |
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Seek
support |
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Devote
new energy to your marriage or dating life |
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Examine
your career goals or leisure activities and |
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explore new options if desired or necessary |
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Get the
information you need. Become
familiar with |
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SMU’s staff, faculty, and resources |
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Rejuvenate old or current friendships or start new ones |
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Exercise
and develop a wellness lifestyle |
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Openly
discuss any expectations, concerns, fears with your |
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child BEFORE they leave for school |
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TOP TEN WAYS |
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TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT |
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Don’t let it worry you that the same person
planning his or her life |
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can’t seem to do their |
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laundry. |
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Praise accomplishments often. |
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Encourage self-reliance. |
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Consider carefully before doing things for
students that they can do |
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for themselves. |
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Give attention and support. |
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Not unsolicited advice! |
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Accept the choice of major. |
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It rarely determines a career. |
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Provide a sense of confidence in their
potential that doesn’t crumble |
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when they do. |
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Take comfort in knowing that |
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exploration and formation of
identity, independence, and
intimacy are as much |
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a part of the college
experience as |
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calculus and history. |
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Although they are “out of the house” |
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they are still a part of the family. |
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Keep them informed and included |
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in family decisions and family life. |
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Keep
your sense of humor ! |
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Carefully select reminders of “what to do” |
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Work
cooperatively on reasonable budgets |
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Don’t
compare your student to siblings, friends, or others |
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Always
forward mail without reading |
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Nurture
spirit - it supports persistence and perseverance |
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Try to
put yourself in your child’s shoes - Understand from |
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their perspective |
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A stated need for help |
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Prolonged sad or depressed mood; or irritability |
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Missing class often |
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Emotional outbursts and crying |
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Loss of interest and pleasure in activities or
people once enjoyed |
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Not making any connections on campus |
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Withdrawal from usual social interactions |
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Fatigue and loss or energy; or agitation and
restlessness |
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Inability to concentrate, remember things, or
make decisions |
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Difficulty keeping up with schoolwork |
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Excessive hostility, anger, or resentment |
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Increases or decreases in sleep |
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Substantial change in appetite, eating patterns,
or weight |
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Recurring aches or pains |
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Feeling guilty, hopeless, empty, or worthless |
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Marked change in hygiene |
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Excessive use of alcohol or drugs |
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Thoughts of death or suicide |
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Wise advice for parents, counselors and
teachers: |
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I am here…. |
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… to listen, |
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not work miracles. |
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… to help you discover what you feel, |
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not to make the feelings go away. |
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… to help you identify your options, |
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not to decide for you what you want to
do. |
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… to discuss steps with you, |
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not take the steps for you. |
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… to help you discover your own strength, |
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not to rescue you and leave you still
vulnerable. |
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… to help you learn to choose, |
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not to make it unnecessary for you to
make difficult choices. |
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… to provide support for change. |
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Notes
