We’re nearly a month in to the fall semester. Newer students, in particular, may be experiencing some stress, apprehension or homesickness. Right about now is when first-year students realize that college is more difficult than high school, and they may be experiencing lower test scores than what they earned in the past. This is when self-care needs to be promoted — and who best to encourage that than parents or people of support in their student’s lives?

Our conversation starters for September are:

How are you settling in so far?

How’s the food? Are they eating alone or with others?

Where are you spending your time outside of the classroom?

Tell me about your classes? Are they what you expected? What are you learning?

Have you joined any student groups or clubs?

How are you meeting people?

How are you working through roommate issues?

Remind your student that their roommate does not always have to be their best friend and that this relationship is more successful when built on mutual respect and compromise.