The beginning of a professional education marks many changes in students and their relationships with family and friends. It can also mean changes in beliefs, values, behaviors, and attitudes. Parents and family members provide a crucial support base for these new experiences. Understanding and adjusting to these changes is an exciting challenge for both students and parents.
What does it mean to be the parent of a student admitted to a professional institute? Parents play a vital role in the lives of students pursuing professional education, and many students continue to count on their parents to remain a steady and stable source of support and guidance. Parents can serve as mentors, offering advice and encouragement while also promoting the independence, autonomy, and responsibility that are necessary for life in a professional institute.
From the increased academic workload to the pressures of making new friends to adjust to the new environment, newly admitted students may experience a certain level of stress or anxiety related to their new responsibilities as students. As parents, you can help your ward prepare for these new responsibilities by discussing expectations ahead of time and by allowing your ward to practice some of these skills before arriving on campus. The more comfortable your ward feels about managing these responsibilities, the less stressful they will be.
