The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone, not only for students but also for their families.

As your student embarks on their journey from when they receive their acceptance letter to when they arrive on campus for move-in, their newfound independence will bring exciting opportunities and challenges. While your role will shift with this newfound independence, your guidance remains essential in helping your student navigate academic expectations, social adjustments and personal growth. WashU provides a wealth of resources to support both students and families during this time, including the First-Year Experience. 

Encouraging open-ended discussions can help your student feel heard while also prompting them to take ownership of their college journey. Below are some guiding questions for conversations you can have with your student to ensure they are prepared for the transition. 

Daily life & self-care

  • How comfortable do you feel managing tasks like laundry, grocery shopping, and making medical appointments on your own?  
  • Would a checklist or practice run help you feel more comfortable doing these tasks independently? 
  • How will you make sure you’re keeping your space clean and organized?  
  • How do you plan to maintain a shared living space with a roommate? 
  • If you ever feel homesick or lonely, what are some things you can do to stay connected while also embracing your new environment? 

Finances & budgeting

  • What’s your plan for managing your meal points, personal expenses, and discretionary spending? How can we set up a system that works for you? 
  • How will you track your spending to stay within budget? Do you need help with creating a budget or a practice before moving to campus?  
  • How do you plan to handle unexpected expenses, such as textbooks, club fees, or social outings? 
  • What financial support do you expect to have from family, if any?  

Time management & academics

  • How do you plan to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular commitments?  
  • What tools were useful for time management in high school (ex: planner or digital tools like Google Calendar)? What do you plan to use in college?  
  • How will you know if your time management tools are successful or not?  
  • How will you balance your academic workload with extracurricular activities and social events? 
  • Who can you go to if you are struggling with this? 

Health & well-being

  • How do you define health and well-being?  
  • What healthy habits do you currently have that you want to bring into college? What new healthy habits are you hoping to start in college?  
  • What are your strategies for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, eating balanced meals, and staying active?  
  • How will you handle stress when things get overwhelming? 
  • Do you feel comfortable preparing simple meals or snacks if needed? Would you like to learn a few quick, healthy recipes before moving to campus? 

Seeking help & resources

  • If you find yourself struggling academically, emotionally, or financially what steps will you take to seek support?  
  • Do you know where to find WashU’s resources for academic mentoring, mental health, and financial aid?