Posted Friday, June 26, 2020 @ 1:44 PM Staff Writer: Brandon Wilcox Attending college is a huge milestone in the lives of many people, as well as a time of transition. While it can be very difficult for students, it may also be hard on you. You have supported your student in many ways for many years, so it can be a difficult transition once they head to campus. It is important to have a game plan on how you are going to support your student when they start their undergraduate career. For some, they may move out of the home and for others, you will have to consider new home dynamics. We will provide you with four keyways to prepare for this new step in both of your lives: Encourage your student to communicate with their roommates (that may be you!): This might be the first time in their lives that they are living with someone else and it may not even be someone they know, so it is super important to encourage your Knight to have an open communication with their new roommates or suitemates. Communication is also key, particularly if your Knight is remaining at home as they navigate new time commitments and responsibilities. Encourage them to get to know whoever they are living with and if conflict arises to speak with them in person! Meaning can be lost if it is just communicated through text messages or sticky notes. Most conflicts are merely an issue of misunderstanding. This can (almost) always be resolved if everyone comes together and talks openly and respectfully about the issue. If your Knight is staying at home, discuss with them any expectations you might have like doing the dishes, being home by midnight, or splitting the cost of the wi-fi bill. Having these discussions know will reduce any potential conflict that may come up later. Guide versus Do: Going to school is a big step in gaining and practicing independence for your student. Things may be confusing for them at first, so it is important that whenever they come to you with a problem that you are guiding them so that they can solve their problems themselves. This will help them to develop independence, resourcefulness, confidence, and resilience. So, while it might be tempting to fix their problems for them, it will help them in the long run if you give them the tools to do it themselves. As your student’s supporter, the Pegasus Parent Program wants to support you – don’t forget to follow our Facebook page for regular event updates and resources. Get Creative when staying connected: In today’s world, there are so many ways to keep in touch with your student! Zoom has quickly become a favorite technology and it is a great way to be able to speak to your Knight face-to-face, even when separated by any amount of distance. The screensharing capabilities of Zoom can also help you both to share things or even have a virtual game or movie knight! Text messaging is also a great tool since it will allow you to send messages back and forth throughout the day, which might be easier for your student to respond to with their busy schedule. You can also send traditional mail to them for a very unexpected but appreciated surprise! Learn about UCF!: Your student is becoming a Knight and is joining a huge community of amazing alumni, scholars, and peers. By learning about the school and staying up to date on all the amazing things that students here are accomplishing it will help to build pride and school spirit in you and your student. Whether your Knight is interested in sports, research, the arts, or just fun events, UCF has it all. There is a calendar of events and information on the exciting programs on the main UCF website. If you see something your Knight might be interested in, let them know! You should be incredibly proud of your student for everything that they have accomplished, but do not forget to pat yourself on the back too – you helped them on your journey. Just because your support might look a little different now that they are Knights, it does not mean that they do not appreciate all of your care and guidance! Charge On! Back