Smart Ways to Support Your College Student This Year

Whether it’s your child’s freshman year or senior year, college students still need support from their families. College allows students to have a bit of freedom, and it can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. This past year has drastically changed the way college works. Some schools have decided to be completely virtual due to the pandemic. Other colleges are taking a risk to offer in-person classes.

The pandemic has undoubtedly added on a little bit of stress for university students. Plus, college prices continue to rise, adding a financial burden to many students. College kids now need some extra love and support, both financially and emotionally. As a parent, you want to allow your child to have that freedom. But it’s still a good idea to offer them encouragement and support throughout their years at school.

Here are some smart ways to support your college student this year.

1. Stay Connected

Support your college students by staying connected with them. Whether you communicate by text, call, email, or letters, always keep in touch with your child while they’re away. Students love to get real mail, so don’t be afraid to write a note once in a while.

Of course, your college student is busy. They’re going to classes and getting involved in on-campus activities. Know that they won’t always respond right away, but they do appreciate your gesture. Additionally, try to visit a few times. In-person contact is so essential between a parent and their child.

2. Gain Knowledge About Campus Resources

Another way you can support your student is by gaining knowledge of campus resources. The more you know about the school and what it offers, the more you can help your student, especially in their first years. Utilize the college website and information packets to learn about the school.

You can help your student navigate their university and refer them to appropriate sources depending on their needs. This shows you are interested in their well-being and experience during college.

3. Help Them Navigate Student Loans

The world of student loans can be tricky. There are so many different options available for student loans, and it can be overwhelming for a first-time college student to understand and choose the right one. If you’ve gone through college or had older kids go through college, you’re likely more knowledgeable about the subject.

This way, your college student can get the best financial support possible. You can remind them to continue to pay them down and save money to pay their loans post-college so they’re not deep in debt.

4. Send Them a Care Package

Care packages are great ways to send your love and support to your college student. They’re a great way to surprise your student, too. Send care packages for holidays like Thanksgiving. You can also send a package near midterms or finals time.

Fill a box with all of your child’s favorite items, whether it’s snacks, games, homemade cookies, or a small gift from home. Personalize them however you want. You can also ask your child what things they want from home, so you can send those, too. Complete it with a handwritten note.

5. Be on the Lookout for Scholarships

College can be expensive. The average cost of a four-year college degree is about $35,000. This has tripled over the past 20 years, and it’s expected to increase by about seven percent every year to come. Besides financial aid through loans, you can help your student by searching for scholarships.

Most schools will offer scholarships for things like academics, sports, music, their field of study, and more. There are also opportunities online for scholarships. It never hurts to apply. The more scholarships your child applies to, the greater their chances of getting that money towards their college costs.

6. Gift a Subscription Box

Subscription boxes are an excellent way to give your child a recurring gift! They come in all shapes, sizes, and types. If your student is interested in coffee, beauty products, beef jerky, athletic wear, or literally anything else, there’s probably a subscription box out there. You can usually send these boxes every month or few months so your student’s stock frequently replenishes.

While there are subscription boxes for fun things, you can give more practical boxes too. For example, if your student doesn’t have a campus dining plan, you could opt to subscribe them to a meal kit. Also, you could offer to pay for their entertainment subscriptions, too.

7. Support Their Mental Health

Finally, support your college student by supporting their mental health. As a result of the pandemic, there has been increased reporting of individuals having anxiety or depression. In a survey regarding COVID-19 and mental health, 31% of people stated they had symptoms of anxiety or depression.

With the uncertainty of what this upcoming school year will hold, it’s essential to support your child’s mental health. Check in with them, be a source of trust for them, keep communication open, and make sure you validate their feelings. Let them know they can always come home and that they’re not alone.

Giving Support When They’re Away

Even though your child may be a few hours away from you, you can still be a source of comfort, encouragement, and support for them. College can be stressful, so ensure you stay in contact with your college student and remind them of your love.