Parents: Help Connect Your Commuter Student to Campus

Commuter students are juggling a lot, including making a place for themselves academically, socially, and involvement-wise on campus. Connecting to campus life can be challenging, and if not successfully addressed, leave a commuter student feeling isolated from the rest of campus.

Campus life is not just for residential students! It’s for commuters and their families, too.

You can help your student find his place and get the most out of college life by trying the following:

Encourage involvement. Studies show that students who are more engaged on campus tend to stay and finish their degrees while those who feel on the fringes may not. So, encourage your student to attend that special event during his lunch break or get involved in a club or organization. Trying things outside the classroom can help your student feel more a part of campus life, like he or she belongs.

Don’t expect to see a lot of your student. Chances are that your student has a full plate with school, work and other involvements. So, if he or she doesn’t come home for dinner, maybe it’s because a classmate invited him or her to the dining hall that night. It is important that all students make connections.

Consider adapting current household rules. If your student lives at home, consider collaboratively determining new household rules for him. Adapting rules related to curfew, chores, meals and visitors might afford him more freedom to stay longer on campus to study, catch dinner with a friend or feel free to bring a study group home.

Promote an on-campus job. If your student currently has a job, or is looking for one, you might encourage her to consider an on campus job. It will ensure regular engagement with staff and students; involve her in the campus communication loop; and create a natural and safe “home” for her on campus. The first place to start, is by attending the Job Fair held each semester or by visiting the Career Exploration Center.

Provide a quiet, comfortable study space. College studies require much more time and effort than high school studies ever did. So, your student may be spending several hours of study time for every hour that he is in class – that’s what most professors suggest. He’ll need time and space to study effectively, without interruptions.

Suggest that your student connect with another adult on campus. If your student can find an adult mentor, whether it’s a coach, advisor, professor or some other cam pus administrator, she’ll feel much more connected to campus.

Stay involved. Get to know more about the campus where your student is spending a good deal of his time. Read the literature that comes from campus, check out the website and sign up for the Parent & Family e-newsletter. Show your support and get involved by attending events and activities that are important to him. Don’t miss out our Parent and Family Weekend – a great time to visit campus with your student.