Students Living at Home While Attending NMUTips for Parents

Now that your student will be attending college, it is a good idea to consider how certain dynamics of your relationship may be impacted. In many ways, college education is more demanding than high school, and that means that there will likely be some lifestyle adjustments for both you and your student.

This presentation draws attention to some common commuter student concerns, and offers suggestions for how parents might address these topics.

Tip #1: Manage Expectations

• The Household “Schedule”• Understand that you will most likely see less of your student than you did when

they were attending high school. • Will you relax curfews and chores to allow for class schedules, homework, and

meetings?• Is there a quiet time and place for your student to study at home?• How do you feel about your student bringing other students in to your home for

study groups?• Transportation

• How will your student get to and from campus?• Meals

• Will your student eat on campus, or will they bring snacks from home?• Will you want or need to have different types of snacks or “quick meals” available

for a student on the go?• Emergencies

• What happens if their car breaks down on the way to/from class? How will you expect your student to react? How can they expect you to react? How will communication be handled?

Tip #2: Know the Stressors…and What You Can do to Help• Commuting can add to the stress of being a college student.

These are common stressors accompanied by suggestions for addressing them:• Extra time to get to and from campus (especially in bad weather),

and to locate parking. • Consider what might you be able to do to help them “get out the door” a

little earlier (and easier) every morning? • Additional financial burden associated with paying for gas and a

parking pass.• Gas gift cards are a nice birthday or holiday gift…tell your family members!

• “Wasted time” between classes. • You might suggest that they use the time between classes for studying,

group meetings, adviser visits, or to grab a bite to eat.

Tip #2 continued: Know the Stressors…and What You Can do to Help

• Aligning work and class schedules can be tough.• If your students maintains a job while attending school, encourage them to work

with their scheduling supervisor as soon as they register for courses. Course scheduling takes places at least a month prior to the beginning of the semester.

• Campus jobs are a great alternative, providing flexibility that works well with course schedules

• It’s a challenge to balance new opportunities with “old” family responsibilities.• If your student wants to join a campus organization, it is likely that the group

meetings will be after 5pm…this might interfere with scheduled family events. Be lenient and understand that campus group involvement is part of the process of developing a connection with the university and peers.

• Feeling less connected than students living in the residence halls.• Encourage your student to get involved ON campus in some way…student

organizations, athletics, campus events and speakers, theater productions, other presentations, etc.

• For first semester students, encourage them to participate in the First Year Experience program. (www.nmu.edu/fye)

Tip #3: Ask Questions

• How’s the commute?• Are you feeling like you’ve got classes

under control?• Are you having fun?• What can I do to help out?• What do you think of your classes?• What student organizations are you

interested in?• Have you met anyone new?• What are you thinking of taking next

semester?• Is your financial aid situated?• What’s the best part of college so far?• Ask them to explain those things you

don’t understand.

Asking questions demonstrates your interest. However, you want to avoid “the nag” or those questions that pry too much.

Tip #4: Attend Parent Orientation When Your Student Attends New Student Orientation

Even if you live locally or are familiar with NMU’s campus, it is recommended that you attend orientation with your student. In addition to showing your support, you will gain useful information and valuable perspective that will aid your understanding of the NMU student experience.

Tip #5: Other Considerations

• What are other parents experiences?• Talk with parents of other students you

know who live at home and commute. Share your experiences, and tips.

• Stay Aware of Campus News & Events: • It’s good to know what’s happening on

campus. You can view campus calendars here: www.nmu.edu/calendars.

• Suggest a Commute Partner: • Does your son or daughter have other

friends that are commuting, too? Perhaps they could carpool to save on fuel costs. Another benefit of a commute partner is that your student will be able to share their experience (good and bad).

We’re Here to Help!Contact the Dean of Students Office with your questions and concerns.

Via Email dso@nmu.eduVia Phone (906) 227-1700

Our Website: www.nmu.edu/dso

Information contained in this presentation is the property of Northern Michigan University’s Dean of Students Office and may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted by written consent of the Northern Michigan University Dean of Students Office (www.nmu.edu/dso).