Parents/Family
As a parent or family member, you are in a unique position to help guide your student's success. We hope that you find the following information useful to you in your mission to support your student.
Why should your student choose residence?
- Residence offers competitive rates with living off campus.
- Students will enjoy having everything at their doorstep; transit, the library, the Dining Hall and other on-campus eateries, the Bookstore, Health and Counselling Services, recreational facilities and class!
- Residence is staffed with student staff and professional staff who are there to support your student and their experience in Residence.
- Programming offered in Residence at SFU is based on your student’s needs, ensuring that there are learning opportunities, recreational programming, social activities and information sharing with students.
- Residence is safe with the help of Campus Student Patrollers, Community Advisors, the Safe Walk program, security cameras and emergency response poles throughout the Residence area.
- Residence is a great place for your student to meet friends who will last a lifetime!
Preparing for Residence - Tips and Suggestions:
- Discuss expectations about communications. How often will you call? How often will your student write? What is too much? What is too little?
- Encourage your student to become involved in Residence and community life. Residence Orientation is a great start.
- Be supportive of change and independence.
- Be a coach, rather than a rescuer. Encourage your student to use the resources available at SFU. Learn what the academic and personal support services are and help point them in the right direction if they have questions or concerns.
- Attend Parent Orientation on Residence Orientation Move-in Day (fall term only). You’ll meet members of Residence and Housing’s administration, other parents of students new to Residence, and the volunteers and staff who are here to support your student. Participate in a Residence tour and a coffee break while your student unpacks their room. It's FREE for you to attend!
Suggested reading for parents:
- Don’t Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money. Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller, 2000.
- How to Survive and Thrive in an Empty Nest: Reclaiming Your Life When Your Children Have Grown. Robert H. Lauer and Janette C. Lauer, 1999.
- Empty Nest, Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College. Andrea Van Steenhouse and Johanna Parker, 1998.
- Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Today’s College Experience , Karen Levin Coburn & Madge Lawrence Treeger (Harper Collins, 1997)
- You're On Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years by Marjorie Savage
Your student has moved in... now what?
Now that your student has moved into Residence, your role as a coach will be vital. Your student will be experiencing a lot of change: different food, different bed, different community, different time management, different type of education… It is important to encourage your student to support themselves, try new things and take this time to explore their opportunities.
Your student will be able to live off-campus for the rest of their lives; there is only a few years where they can live on-campus!
Tips and Suggestions:
- Be an anchor. Listen with an open mind and be supportive.
- Take the point of view that university is a milestone.
- Express your belief that your student will succeed. If they are struggling, point them in the direction of services and let them feel successful when they use those services.
- Write your student a snail-mail letter, even if they don’t write you back. It is so wonderful to receive a non-bill piece of mail.
- Send your student care packages including things that will remind them of home. Items might include local newspaper articles, favourite treats, photos, etc. Everyday items, like shampoo, gum, soap, cough drops, toothbrushes or simply a new magazine are always a hit!
- Let them go, just a little. It is their time on their own, living in a safe and supportive community.