We’re so happy you are back – and we can’t believe how fast your school year flew by. Now that you are used to adulting successfully on your own, we look forward to a new family dynamic when it comes to personal responsibility at home. Another way of saying this: Mom has permanently removed her House Manager/Nagger-in-Chief Hat. We are all now full-fledged members of one team whose goal is peaceful co-existence. Everyone is now expected to treat the others as likable roommates, who want to stay likable roommates.

Your college student is graduating. Congratulations! It’s possible that your student will move on to graduate school or begin a career. Whichever the direction, this is a milestone and you want to mark the moment with an appropriate graduation gift. Your graduation gift may be large or small, practical or sentimental, but it may be time for some “real life” tools.

The last few weeks of spring semester on college campuses are hectic. Your student may drop off the radar while wrapping up classes and taking finals, so when you do make contact it’s important to touch on the most important things. Often students don’t have much time between their last final exam and when they need to move out of the residence hall. Organization is key! Here are some details they don’t want to forget, and ways for parents to help.

Every parent wants their student to succeed, and landing a job, co-op, or internship can help begin that success. With the Spring Career Fair coming up on April 27, wouldn’t it be helpful for your student to know what campus recruiters look for when they interview college students? How do students set themselves apart from other candidates at school? How can your student stand out at a career fair and know what it takes to be selected for an offer?

One of the positive aspects of a virtual job fair is that it is easier than ever to attend because you don’t even have to leave your house. It is also a great idea to attend because many students tend to overlook career fairs, so you will definitely stand out just by being in attendance and getting to know the recruiters. Here are some tips to pass on to your student to help them prepare for a virtual career fair.

Working with a good tutor can make a tremendous difference in your college student’s success. Having a tutor can mean that a student has a stronger grasp of the course material and may receive a better grade.

Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Welcome back from spring break! I hope you found last week relaxing and re-energizing. As I see more people on campus today, I’m reminded of a quote from Ghanaian author Dr. Lailah Gifty Akita, “May you have fresh strength in the spring season.” I feel like we’re not only emerging from winter but a long season of COVID-19 concerns. With vaccine availability increasing, I am optimistic that we will all be vaccinated soon against this disease.

So much of the college experience is about balance. Students work at learning to balance social life and studying, independence and responsibility, seriousness and frivolity. As parents, it is sometimes difficult to watch as our students practice the skill of balance – and sometimes fail. But just as we had to finally take the training wheels off and let go of the bicycle, we need to step back and watch as our students take off.

Talking about drinking need not be taboo. “Detoxify” the topic. You can assume that your student has experience with high-risk drinking situations. Even if your college age child doesn’t drink, they most likely know people who do and/or they have been offered alcohol.