information for parents of students

Transition

Leaving home to go to University is a major transition for students and for their families.

Although this is an exciting time, for some parents and carers it can be difficult to let go and be confident that your son/daughter will survive and flourish in their new life. The pages and links in this section offer some practical advice on how you can help your son/daughter to successfully manage the transition to University life.

University is very different from school

Your son/daughter is now an adult and therefore they are responsible for managing their finances, academic attendance and performance, diet, social life, sleeping habits and everything else that happens on a daily basis. Because our relationship is with the student directly, university staff, including lecturers and advisors, are unable to discuss their progress due to our duties and responsibilities under Data Protection.

Some parents will recognise this as a positive step in their son/daughter's development. Others may struggle with the idea that their son/daughter suddenly has all of this responsibility and that they no longer have the ability to step in and put everything right.

Some of this information may help you and your son/daughter feel more confident about their ability to assume these responsibilities.

However, most parents do still have a key role to play in supporting their children even after they have left home for University. Knowing what problems may appear and how best to advise your child can be crucial in helping them through the trickier parts of their university experience

Further information

Talk to your son or daughter

Let them discuss with you how they are feeling about leaving home. Make sure they focus on the positives as well as the negatives but do let them talk about their fears and concerns. It is normal to be apprehensive about change and upset to be leaving home. It isn't wrong to feel that way, it is a natural part of growing into an adult.

Reassure them that you will be ok once they have gone

Many students worry unduly about their parents and this can add to their stress levels and make it more difficult for them to settle in to University life. It is good to know that you will miss them but that you will be ok and that they don't have to worry about you.

Give them some practical skills

It is always surprising how many students leave home unable to cook, operate a washing machine or structure their own day. Make sure they can cook a reasonable number of meals (there are some recipes on this site they can use) and can read washing labels. If you haven't already, give them some responsibilities around the home. If a student is confident in their ability to take care of themselves, they will find the process of transition to university life much easier.

Support at University

There is lots of support available to our students and Derby University prides itself on being friendly and supportive.

Help them plan for success

Doing well can often depend more on how a student manages the move to university than it does on their academic ability. There is lots of advice on this website to help - you may also want to discuss with them the importance of balancing their academic work, paid work, social life, healthy living and time for themselves.

Talk to your son or daughter

Let them discuss with you how they are feeling about leaving home. Make sure they focus on the positives as well as the negatives but do let them talk about their fears and concerns. It is normal to be apprehensive about change and upset to be leaving home. It isn't wrong to feel that way, it is a natural part of growing into an adult.

Reassure them that you will be ok once they have gone

Many students worry unduly about their parents and this can add to their stress levels and make it more difficult for them to settle in to University life. It is good to know that you will miss them but that you will be ok and that they don't have to worry about you.

Give them some practical skills

It is always surprising how many students leave home unable to cook, operate a washing machine or structure their own day. Make sure they can cook a reasonable number of meals (there are some recipes on this site they can use) and can read washing labels. If you haven't already, give them some responsibilities around the home. If a student is confident in their ability to take care of themselves, they will find the process of transition to university life much easier.

Support at University

There is lots of support available to our students and Derby University prides itself on being friendly and supportive.

Help them plan for success

Doing well can often depend more on how a student manages the move to university than it does on their academic ability. There is lots of advice on this website to help - you may also want to discuss with them the importance of balancing their academic work, paid work, social life, healthy living and time for themselves.