It's the middle of the spring semester here at Barnard, which means that the campus is about to come to life with blossoms and flowers galore. The weather will change, and your student will soon be texting you pictures of Barnard in full bloom. Two months after that, summer will be here, and your child will be in a different environment - living back at home or pursuing a summer project of some kind.
In the meantime, though, mid-semester also means that the weather is still dreary, spring hasn't sprung quite yet, and it's midterm season.
The combination of bad weather and lots of tests and papers can make for some stressed-out students and you may be hearing
from your child at this time of year. They may feel homesick or the friend groups they had last semester are shifting. Maybe they see everyone around them as happy and are worried they aren't having as good of a time. And maybe they are just tired of the cold.
If your child is calling you with complaints, remember this is a normal part of college life. Hear your child out. Very often students just want to vent, and remember, they may be calling you because they think of you as their ultimate comfort-provider. Before you offer any advice, let them talk through what they are worried about. They might be using a phone call or Skype to you to release the pent-up feelings they've been carrying around all day, but not showing.
At moments like these, remind your child of the resources available on campus. Are they complaining about not making as many friends as they want? Encourage them to visit Student Life and join an organization or club they haven't tried yet. Are they stressed about midterms? Remind them to see their professors in office hours or to connect with their advisor. Are they feeling anxious? Remind them about Furman Counseling, and that their counselors
see many students, mostly for exam-related stress. Find more resources on the Parents Program website.
Also, know you can always suggest a visit to their Class Dean where your student can have a conversation about their academics but also about mental health and related life choices.
Remember, you are your child's best cheerleader! Midterms will pass, summer will be here soon - and there are lots of people on campus to help them along in the meantime.
~Natalie Friedman, Co-Interim Dean of the College and Dean of Studies