If you are a parent who has an adolescent entering their freshman year of college this fall, it may seem like the chapter of childhood flew by all too quickly. You can still remember the difficulty of leaving your child on the first day of kindergarten. Now your young adult is making the transition into adulthood.
Taking Care of Physical Needs
This is a time to prepare your adolescent for what lies ahead. You’ll want to be sure their physical health is good and that all of their medical files are up-to-date. If your teen is headed away to college, be sure they know where health services are available on campus or nearby.
Taking Care of Mental Health Needs
Mental health is another important part of transition preparation. Talk with your son or daughter about expectations for the coming year. What do they think it will look like? How do you, the parent, view the coming year? Transition means that you will be less privy to many things in their life, but it doesn’t mean the shutdown of communication. Try to establish an agreed upon channel for regular communication.
Mental health and physical health go hand in hand so explain to your child the importance of eating healthy, sleeping and getting regular exercise even during an overwhelming academic year. Transition times can be stressful and stress can trigger mood changes. Let your teen know that there are positive and negative ways to cope with stress. Assure them that you trust them to make the better choices, but be alert for any signs of depression during this pivotal year.
The mental health professionals at Family Guidance have years of experience working with families and young adults in the middle of transition. If at any point you notice symptoms that concern you, talk to your family doctor or make an appointment with us for a mental health screening.
