When your student arrives on the Pitt campus to live on their own for the first time, it is not anything like going to the next grade has been during the past 12 years. This is a major life step. As with any major life transition, it is fraught with emotion, challenges, and new and exciting possibilities. In some cases those exciting possibilities are clouded by the disorientation the separation can cause. The purpose of this section is to share information and resources that can help you teach your student how to navigate through this new world, and in turn, learn how to cope with this new found independence in a positive constructive way.

The Web-based organization, College Parent Central is an excellent resource for parents and guardians of college students. We have provided links to several excellent articles that may help with the transition (articles used with permission).

• Four Essentials Your Student MUST Take to College
• Are There Secrets to College Success?
• College Parents Can Help Freshmen Overcome First Semester Challenges
• Five Conversations Parents and College Students Should Have Before the First Year of College
• Five More Conversation Starters For Parents and Students Before the First Year of College
• Parent Relations Offices Offer College Parents an Opportunity for Involvement
• The Course Syllabus: Roadmap to Success
• Ten Things To Do If You Need To Call Your Child’s College
• Your Role As a College Parent: Sideline Coach – Part 1
• Your Role As a College Parent- Part 2
• Your Role As a College Parent: Sideline Coach – Part 3
• What FERPA Means for You and Your College Student