What to Expect
Sending a child to college can be exciting and nerve-wracking for parents. We want to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Please know that many people at Oxford are working hard to make your child's educational experience a positive time for learning and growth. In case you have specific questions or concerns, below you will find contact information as well as suggestions that may be helpful to you.
What can I expect my child to experience? Your son or daughter will very likely be experiencing a range of emotions as he or she leaves for college. Remember that these emotions, such as joy, anxiety, excitement, and sadness are perfectly normal. During the college years your child will be continuing a process of independence yet also establishing new and intimate connections with friends, faculty, and other mentors. He or she will be exposed to many new ideas and may experiment with new ways of being with friends and with you. Remember that many of these changes are a normal part of growing up. Also remember that every child is different and has his or her own experiences of dealing with the challenges and rewards of college life.
What can I expect to experience as a parent? Like your child, you can expect to experience a wide range of emotions when your child leaves for college. You may experience a great deal of pride and joy about your child's achievements. You may experience the joy of new freedom as your child leaves home, as well as sadness at his or her departure and a feeling of being less needed and left out. You also may worry about whether he or she will be able to adjust well to a new life, and you may worry about "losing" your child as he or she experiments with new ideas, behaviors, and relationships. You will likely experience difficulty in giving up some of the parental control you have had in the past. These are normal feelings and ones that are often good to share with other family members and friends.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
As the parent of an Oxford student you can talk to a counselor at the Counseling Center during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Counselors will be able to help you with many questions and concerns you may have about your child's well-being. They also can help you to decide if your child needs assistance and where he or she can get it. The number to call is 770.784.8394.
Confidentiality is an essential part of any counseling relationship and is legally protected in Georgia. Consequently, the Counseling Center cannot discuss your child's counseling in any way without written permission from your child, except in rare instances when disclosures are legally required including, but not limited to, situations when child abuse is suspected, when the therapist has reasonable cause to believe that a client presents a danger to himself or herself or others, or in response to a valid court order. You should not expect anyone from the Counseling Center to confirm in any way whether your child has been seen at the Counseling Center. However, you should always feel free to contact the Counseling Center if you have any concerns about your child, want the Counseling Center to be aware of something concerning your child, or have questions about how the Counseling Center works.