Lending a Helping Hand
As the parent/guardian of a university student, it is almost inevitable that sometime over the next few years you will receive a phone call, visit or letter from an apparently distressed son/daughter/family member. It would not be unusual for them to experience any or some of the following:
- feeling absolutely overwhelmed by the workload
- “I’m in the wrong course/program!”
- feeling homesick-missing family, boy/girlfriends or the stability of “home”
- a lack of funds-expenses are so much more than anticipated
- the loss of an old boy/girlfriend
- the excitement and anxieties of forming new friendships and relationships
- the big-fish-in-the-little-pond to the little-fish-in-the-big-pond phenomenon
Nor would it be unusual for them, in the heat of the moment, to make some impulsive decisions that in the long run may not be in his/her best interest.
Hopefully before doing anything too rash, they will confide in you as a parent/guardian and you will be able to offer some support and stability to the situation and refer them to the appropriate service in residence or on campus.
Therefore you should know about the many people in residence who are only too willing to assist, encourage and support your son/daughter. The easiest and most useful resource we have is our Helping Tree, which can be found here. This chart is designed to help direct students to the people and services they need. Begin at the bottom and follow the flow chart upwards to find out which campus unit or department can be of assistance.
