Making the Most of Parent/Family Weekend

A campus visit may be right around the corner if you’re planning to attend Parent/Family Weekend this fall. Yet, it’s not just about crab puffs at receptions and shaking hands. This is a real opportunity to connect with your student! Make the most of your family weekend by:

• Attending Classes. Some schools offer the chance to sit in on portions of popular classes. See what your student is experiencing in the classroom so you can “talk academics” throughout the remainder of the year.

• Listening to Your Student. Listen as he tells you about the rugby intramurals team he joined or the bio lab he’s really enjoying. Listen as she tells you about a group she’d like to join or how much she has connected with her RA. This is your time together to communicate face-to-face. Try to talk less and listen more—you just may pick up on some subtleties that don’t come through via IM and phone calls.

• Trying New Things. There will likely be quite a slate of activities available during the weekend. Try some of these new things with your student, from service projects to a cappella concerts. He/she may find a new hobby, interest or direction as a result!

• Mingling & Meeting. Attend receptions, talk with other parents, meet administrators and faculty… these folks are at your disposal during the weekend. Plus, you’ll get a better feel for what campus life is about and who is available to your student.

• Staying on Campus. It might be tempting to head off campus away from the hub-bub yet participating on campus is how you and your students will likely feel most connected.

• Ooh-ing and Aah-ing Instead of Huffing and Puffing. Try to be upbeat and positive throughout the weekend. Comment on how good the dining hall food is instead of making “I can’t BELIEVE you have to eat such slop” remarks. Compliment what your student has done to make her room look homey, how pretty the campus grounds look and more. Your student will be seeing campus through your eyes this weekend.

• Connecting with the Campus Parent Organization. If your school has a parent group, go to a meeting and look into getting involved. It’s a great way to meet other parents and to participate in the life of the campus!

And have a wonderful time!