College Planning Partners Blog

College orientation signals a whole new beginning for students. But now, parents are getting a little homework as well. Today, most schools provide special orientations for parents, right alongside the traditional freshmen orientation. These sessions cover every topic, ranging from on-campus safety to coping with an "empty nest". Over half of freshmen parents attend.

Orientations for parents differ depending on the school. For example, Northern Michigan University provides simulated phone calls parents might expect from their children. These calls range from students who are homesick to those who are getting into trouble. Parents are asked how they would respond to these phone calls if they were to come from their child.

Sibling orientations have also been on the rise at college campuses. These programs allow siblings to have their own experience at the University where their brothers or sisters are attending. An article from the Boston Globe discusses Boston University's sibling orientations. About 10% of schools nation wide offer these programs.

You can also view this article from MSNBC, which provides more information on orientations for parents.
For ideas on how to make the most of your orientation, contact any of us here at College Planning Partners. Our Diagnostic Evaluation is free and could be the difference between a future that just happens and the future your student chooses to make happen.