4 minute read
Partnering with USF: Letting Your Student GROW
The transition to college is an ongoing adjustment — for you and your student.
As most college students quickly transition into successful and happy Bulls, we know much of this journey can feel like “letting go” for their families — a feeling that can bring emotions of pride, excitement, anxiety, and even frustration. We are here to assure you these emotions are normal and are a part of acclimating to a new version of your role as a family member to a college student. USF shares many of the same goals you have for your student to prepare them for life after college.
Some of these include becoming independent, learning how to solve problems and take action when faced with a challenge, taking advantage of opportunities that will aid them in the future, being healthy, happy, and succeeding in their academic pursuits.
As your student enters college, they are also likely beginning their journey into adulthood. You will quickly learn that as you begin to “pass the baton” of adulthood responsibilities to your student, USF will work with them as adults from the onset of their collegiate career. At some point during your student’s USF experience, they will encounter a challenge — one they may turn to you to solve for them. As we partner with families, we believe together we can help your student to GROW into confident, self-advocating, independent Bulls.
When your student tells you about a challenge or problem, we recommend following the steps on the next page to empower your students’ problemsolving and confidence in taking action independently.
Check out more Letting GROW tips throughout the year by subscribing to the Parent & Family BULLetin usf.campusesp.com/signup
Letting GROW GROW GROW A Conversation Guide to Support Your Student
Has your Bull contacted you about an obstacle or challenge they’ve encountered? We recommend you follow these steps to coach & guide your student. Remember, it’s not about you letting go…it’s letting them GROW!
Gather your own emotions and thoughts before immediately beginning to fix things for your student. Obstacles and challenges present an opportunity for your young adult to build confidence, independence, and problem solve! Take a breath and ask yourself these questions:
• If my student works through this, how could they learn and grow? • If I fix this for my student, does it help them reach the long-term goals of developing independence and problem-solving skills? • Is this something my student is unable to solve on their own?
• What situations are you currently facing? • What steps have you taken to navigate this situation so far? • How would you like things to be different?
• What offices or resources could assist you in navigating this situation? • What immediate options do you need to explore? What about long-term options? • What could get better by exploring your options? What could happen if you don’t explore these options? • What do you want to do next?
Reflect with your student. College is a time when roles and dynamics shift between students and their families. Your support and care remains important to how they’ll develop into adulthood. Show your student that you believe in them by asking them questions so they are heard, while affirming their strengths and ability to make positive personal change.
• What obstacles are in the way? • How high are the stakes for you?
Offer opportunities and options for your student to explore. There are countless resources and people at USF who can support your Bull through a situation. Need help knowing what options are available? Parent & Family Engagement is here to help.
Ways forward. After walking alongside this situation with your student, empower them to take action and problem-solve on their own. You have prepared them for this moment! Allow them time to solve this problem on their own. Circle back to them in a few days and ask them about the steps they have taken and what they learned throughout the process. As you navigate these situations over time with your student, you will both gain confidence in their ability to work through the peaks and valleys of their college experience.
• How can I be supportive to you as you work through this? • I believe in you. You are capable of getting through this!
*Adapted from Sir John Whitmore’s GROW Model (1992) and Gonzaga University Parent & Family Relations’ Pause Reflect Guide (2019).
Gone through this process and still need assistance? Parent & Family Engagement is here to help guide you and your student. We are just an email (family@usf.edu) or phone (813-974-2896) call away!
