Seoul Student Housing 42SHARE welcomes you and your student to University at Seoul! The transition to abroad can be exciting, and stressful for families. Parents may be unsure what to expect for their student and what the transition means for their family.
We know you have a million things to worry about when your loved one is off at Seoul, Korea, but their living environment shouldn't be one of them!
Since 2013, 42SHARE has been the Korea's leading provider of academically-oriented student communities. In our unrelenting commitment to students, we give your student the college experience they want and the academic environment they need to succeed - not just in school, but also in life.
Important Things to Remember as Your Child Transitions to College
Remember that your son or daughter's transition to college is a transition for you as well
The transition to college can be a stressful experience for parents, especially if your son or daughter hasn't lived away from home before. During this important time of transition for the family, many parents put their own feelings and reactions "on hold" while helping their child prepare for university life.
However, attending to your own emotional needs will go a long way toward helping everyone feel comfortable with the challenges that college presents.
Recognize that feelings of ambivalence, anxiety, and excitement about your child's leaving home are normal
You may feel a variety of emotions as your son or daughter prepares to leave for home for the first time. You may feel ambivalent and anxious as your son or daughter prepares to leave home for the first time.
While ambivalence and anxiety are common during this period of transition, it is also normal to look forward to the relative peace and quiet of having your active older adolescent out of the house. You may be excited to have the place to yourself, or to have more time to spend with your spouse and/or younger children.
Remember that coming to the University is a tremendously important developmental step toward full adulthood
It represents the culmination of 18 years or so of learning, much of which has been geared toward assuming a productive place in the world. This is the time when your hard work as a parent will show itself as your son or daughter begins to make independent choices.
Many parents find that it helps to focus on the fact that providing their son or daughter with this opportunity is a priceless gift. Be proud of yourself!
What Can I Do to Help My Child from a Distance?
Of course, you are still a parent to your son or daughter, and s/he still needs your support and guidance during the college years. Here are some ways you can express your caring and enhance his or her experience at university.
Stay in touch
Even though your son or daughter is experimenting with independent choices, s/he still needs to know that you're there and available to discuss both normal events and difficult issues. Make arrangements to write, email, or call on a regular basis. It may be helpful to have a conversation about how often s/he would like you to check-in.
Allow your son or daughter to set the agenda for some of your conversations
If s/he needs help or support, the subject is more likely to come up if you aren't asking pointedly about what time s/he came in last night!
Be realistic about financial matters
Students should come to school with a fairly detailed plan about who will pay for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, and what the family's expectations are about spending money. Being specific at the outset may help avoid misunderstandings later. Don't forget about the costs of social activities, which are an important part of the college experience.
Helpful Coping Strategies for Parents
Allow yourself to have emotions
There is little benefit in pretending that you don't feel sad, guilty, relieved, apprehensive, worried, etc. about the transition to the university. A healthier approach is to discuss your feelings with your family, friends, clergy, or whoever is a source of support for you. Talking with other parents of college-bound students can be particularly helpful.
Make "overall wellness" a goal for yourself
During stressful times, it helps to get enough sleep, eat healthy meals regularly, and get adequate exercise. Spending time doing the things you like is another step toward wellness. If you are feeling good, you are more likely to have the energy to help your son or daughter to be a good role model.
Find a new creative outlet for yourself
Many parents find that taking on a new challenge is an excellent way to manage and channel their energy and feelings. Have you ever wanted to travel? Volunteer in your community? Assume a new project or responsibility at work? Write a book? Learn to fly-fish? Make a quilt? Get your own bicycle and ride all over town? Make a list of all the things you intended to do while your child was growing up, but never had the time to do. Now is your chance!
Be patient with the transition
It is important to recognize that it will take some time to develop the right balance between your son or daughter's developing need for independence and their simultaneous need for support and guidance. Every student is different in this regard and has different needs, and these needs will almost certainly change over time. In addition, students don't always know how much independence they can handle or how much support they will actually need. So, be patient, and understand that it will likely take some time for everyone to figure this out.
Consider joining 42SHARE Parents, a resource dedicated to helping parents help their students. Don’t hesitate to call 42SHARE Parents at ssh42share@gmail.com with questions to receive exclusive communications.