Senior Breakfast with the School Counselors

April showers may bring flowers, but at Nipmuc, like many area high schools, May also heralds the departure and graduation of our senior students.  The month seems a blur of exams, projects, activities, celebrations and emotional goodbyes.  In the midst of all of this, the Nipmuc School Counseling Center’s senior parent breakfast, held on May 12, 2015 focused on “Leaving the Nest” or supporting students as they transition to college or other post-secondary options.  Senior parents were given the opportunity to discuss issues related to college academics and residential life;  changing dynamics in family relationships as children become adults; emotional and physical health; finances; communication,  to name just a few of the discussion points.  Parents who were sending their first child off to college were able to receive support from parents who had been through this transition with older children. 

Regardless of the topical area being discussed, parents were encouraged to keep lines of communication open between children and themselves.  As high school students transition to college, parental roles are changing as well; parents are becoming more of a consultant or coach to their young adults.  The idea of supporting students to solve their problems on their own and seek appropriate campus resources, as needed, was highlighted.  This sends a message of confidence and support to young adults and reinforces the belief that parents trust their ability to handle any challenges that come their way.  Parents were encouraged to make agreements with their children about how to stay in touch, financial responsibilities, academics and any other issues related to college life.  

The discussion was informative and feedback from parents who attended was very positive. For parents who were not able to attend,  I have included links to the handouts from the breakfast as well as to a website entitled College Parent Central which has a number of educational and timely resources for parents of students transitioning to post-secondary education. 

http://www.collegeparentcentral.com/

http://www.greatschools.org/college-prep/planning/304-letting-go-new-college-students.gs 

http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/articles/Pages/Relationships.aspx

http://www.westga.edu/parents/index_9138.php

Thank you to all who attended the School Counseling Center's senior parent breakfast.  We would like to wish all of our graduating seniors the best of luck as they pursue their future endeavors!