How can parents support independence without managing university life for the student?
Parents can support independence by leaving course choices, assignment and schedule management, and contact with the university primarily to the student, while remaining available for advice. When checking in, they should listen and respect the student’s decisions rather than closely monitoring details. For serious health, safety, or financial concerns, they can discuss appropriate support with the student and act together when needed.
Key points
- Ask how the student is thinking rather than solving every problem in advance.
- Agree with the student on reasonable contact and the kinds of support available.
- As a general rule, the student should handle university procedures and contact support services directly.
Things to check
- Practices concerning enrolment, contact with parents, and support services vary by university, faculty, and situation, so official information should be checked when necessary.