What to do with the freshman jitters – for parents too!

College represents new environments, unknown futures and endless opportunity. But for students and parents alike, anxiety accompanies the excitement. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is a normal reaction to stress - it can even be a beneficial coping mechanism - as long as doesn't become excessive or debilitating.

As college life quickly approaches, keep these tips in mind to handle the jitters.

Make lists. Don't let the upcoming changes overwhelm you or your student. If you start to get stressed out thinking about all that has to happen between now and then, or what your student needs to pack, or even all the things that could go wrong with your student 1,000 miles away, make a list. You'll be able to prioritize to-do items, feel accomplished by checking off tasks and see what worries are unreasonable or irrational.

Take deep breaths. As simple as it sounds, you can manage your anxiety by stopping whatever you're doing and breathing. Close your eyes, still your mind, breathe in and out, and wait for the high-stress feelings to pass. Don't try to stuff your jitters and keep moving; they won't go away by ignoring them.

Talk it out. If your anxiety is more than general jitters about all the changes, focus on what is causing the stress and ask others to help you find a solution. Sometimes just talking to someone will ease the anxiety, even if you don't find an answer. This goes for your student too - he/she isn't the only incoming freshman, and talking out fears with other students will be a comfort.

Visualize the scenario. For some parents, an empty nest is heavenly, and for others, it's near the opposite end of the otherworldy spectrum. Either way, picture what you want life to be like in a few months. Set goals that will help you attain your ideal scenario - like taking up cooking, joining a gym or reading a new book. If move-in day jumpstarts your heart rate, visualize your student making a home-away-from-home in the dorm room, laughing with new friends and hugging you goodbye, happy and excited for a new chapter in life.

Be positive. If your student comes to you with his/her own worries, combat the anxiety with optimism. It can be easy to feed each other's fears and focus on problems instead of solutions. Find the silver lining. For example, if your student is stressed out about having enough money to buy books and furnish the dorm room, set aside a fun day to shop at consignment stores and garage sales together and peruse used bookstores for textbooks.