Navigating the Teen to University Transition:

So your teen is spreading their wings and heading off to university? Congratulations! It's a pretty momentous time for both your child and your whole family. Understandably, [mixed] emotions are likely running high. As a working parent, manging your child's transition to higher education while also managing work and other responsibilities can add an extra layer of difficulty into the mix. But worry not; we've got your back with some top tips to prepare and help make this journey a smoother one.

1. Keep Communication Lines Open

Your teenager might be testing their newfound independence, but that doesn't mean they've outgrown the need for your support and guidance. It’s still important to keep in regular contact. You can facilitate this by creating a space where your burgeoning adult can talk to you about their concerns and excitements and use you a sounding board. And don't forget to share your own too, making this an open, two-way conversation. This type of free-flowing, honest dialogue can help you both to air and alleviate any anxieties.

2. Financial Planning

Let's face it, when you add up all the preparation expenses, university can be an expensive endeavour. It can help to sit down with your teenager and work out a financial plan and/or budget together – again, lightening the load for you both. A great place to start can be by managing expectations through discussing the details of your financial contributions. You can also encourage your teen to explore things like scholarships, free courses, and/or part-time work opportunities. You two can also look into other money-saving strategies like buying second-hand provisions like books, dorm furniture, etc.

3. Visiting the Campus

If you haven’t done so already, it’s always a good idea to visit the campus with your teen before they start. This can really help them to get comfortable with their new surroundings and reduce ‘D-day’ anxiety. Plus, it's an excellent opportunity for you to explore the area and become familiar with their living arrangements. This way, when you guys have your regular catch-ups, you have some context to place their stories.

4. Encourage Time Management

University life can be a whirlwind of assignments, exams, and social activities. You can give your teen a head start by helping them develop good time management skills. As someone who is already adept at managing work-life balance, and has years of experience in managing various priorities, you’ve likely got a few trusted strategies that you can share with them. You can show them which programmes/apps/software you use and suggest different ways of using them to help with typical things like scheduling, time-blocking, etc.

5. Support Their Independence

To some extent, this transition is about letting go. So, encourage your teen to take ownership of their responsibilities, like laundry, grocery shopping and meal planning. By teaching them some practical life skills, you’ll help them to become more self-sufficient – especially if they’ll be living away from home. Some more practical skills include:

• Basic cooking skills, along with your favourite easy-to-cook, nutritious recipes
• Budgeting
• Laundry hacks (covering the important things like water temperature, separating whites, and all the different machine settings)
• Time management
• Basic repairs (such as how to change a lightbulb, unclog a drain, etc.)
• Emergency preparedness: who to call in what emergencies

6. Embrace Technology

Ensure the use of technology to stay connected. Video calls, text messages and social media can help you feel closer to your child, (and them to you) even if they're miles away. You might be wondering ‘how often should I call my child?’ or be thinking ‘I want to stay connected, but I don’t want to smother my young adult’. If that’s the case, consider chatting with your teen and together, discuss setting up a regular schedule for checking in? Don’t forget, sharing memes, video links, Spotify playlists and quick voice notes while you’re on a walk are all ways you can stay connected.

7. Be a Shoulder to Lean On

It's natural for your teenager to experience moments of homesickness or stress. Let them know you're always there for them, even if you're physically apart. This is a new stage of parenting where you can share stories of your own, similar challenges and how you overcame them. Your empathy and understanding can be a source of strength for them, as well as a way to deepen your connection.

8. Prepare for Unexpected Visits

Life has a way of throwing surprises our way. Be prepared for the occasional weekend visit from your child. Transitioning to university is different for each child and while some can take to the experience like a duck to water, others may find it to be challenging or stressful. It helps to keep a room or area at home where they can always feel welcome and at ease. A bit of familiarity along their journey can work wonders.

9. Encourage Networking

Support your teen in building new friendships and connections at university. Encourage them to attend orientation events, find relevant clubs or groups, and help them meet people who share their interests. A solid social network can make the transition a lot smoother, and having things to look forward to can really help your teen to feel excited about university - helping them to better envision what their life could look like on campus. 

10. Take Care of Yourself

Don't forget, this transition affects you too. As a parent, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of your child's journey – so busy ensuring their wellbeing that you forget your own. Remember to take time for self-care, emotional wellbeing, hobbies, and relaxation.