Parents & Caregivers

Prepare yourself first

Sometimes parents are more nervous than their children about the transition to college. Studies have shown a strong relationship between parental anxiety regarding separation and their child's anxiety (Stone, Otten, Soenens, Engels and Janssens, Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2015). This stress can be reduced when the parent and child gather information about Lambton College together by attending info sessions or Open Houses or by participating in orientations.

Allow your child more freedom while they're at home

It's the old adage of tested then trusted. Be more lenient with your child's curfew. Allow them to make their own decisions while holding them responsible for the consequences while they're still living under your roof.

Teach them practical skills

Have them do their own laundry, clean the house (not just their room), unclog a toilet, take a turn buying groceries for the week, and have them make healthy meals for the family. Encourage them to research transportation routes and locate walk-in clinics, pharmacies and grocery stores.

Encourage good time management skills

Teach them to use an app that will encourage organization and deadline management apart from your reminders.

Have a conversation (or two) about coping with change

Parents know their children best, so reinforce their strengths when it comes to dealing with adversity. Focus on their resourcefulness and ability to have back up plans. Highlight the positive ways they've dealt with challenges in the past. The key is to encourage them to maximize helpful habit and minimize harmful habits (i.e. avoidance, procrastination, settling, substance use.)

Stay in tune with their romantic relationships

Relationships often cause more stress for students than academics when they're in college. Discuss with your child how unhealthy relationships may affect their overall health. If your child is single, college may be where they meet someone. If there's a new person in your child's life, invite them over and get to know them. Show interest and keep the lines of communication open.

Discuss how life will be different now that they are adults in college

Talk about how communication patterns will change. How often does your child want to be contacted? Let them lead the conversation. Discuss expectations and come to a common ground of respect.

Create weekly or monthly budgets

In the weeks leading up to the transition to college, have your child put together a reasonable weekly or monthly budget and then have them take it for a test drive.

Download a budgeting app

Help your child prepare for budgeting with an appropriate app. It is not uncommon for students to spend all of their money or run out of money on their meal card before the term is ends. Research some budgeting apps.

Discuss the OSAP process

Sit down with your child and discuss how OSAP works from applying, to accepting, to paying it back.

Explore the pros and cons of credit cards

Perhaps an option is to co-sign a card so you can track your child's spending and management of debt.

Research scholarships with them

Every year, thousands of dollars go unclaimed as students don't take the time to apply. By researching bursaries and other financial resources, your child can work towards graduating debt free. Find additional tips at youngandthrifty.ca.

Research housing options

Residence is convenient, but cost savings are a possibility by living off campus. Make sure you explore all options with your child.

Working while going to school

Not every student can juggle work and school but there are jobs on campus that may make the juggling more manageable. Login to the mylambton website with your C# and password and visit On-Campus Employment.

Make a doctor's appointment

Before heading to college, make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date, especially if they are taking a program that requires them to have a field or clinical placement. Also, take this opportunity to make sure any medications they take are refilled.

Continue any existing treatment plans

If your child is seeing a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist ensure they have a treatment plan in place for when they transition to college. The professional may recommend transferring the care to a local professional. Your child should be aware of the options available for continuity of care.

Prepare for any academic accommodations or learning disabilities early

If your child has a learning disability or has had academic accommodations (IEP), make an appointment with the Accessibility Centre between May and August. Planning for this before the term starts will allow the office to assess the individual student and have a plan in place for when school begins.

The Indigenous Students' Centre is available to help students achieve their academic goals. They offer a number of supports from peer tutoring to financial assistance.

Physical Health

The college has an on campus Health & Wellness centre with a full-time Nurse and part-time physicians and nurse practitioners. This service is available to all students.

Mental Health

The counselling office provides academic, career and personal counselling to all students. Students can also access a food bank on campus.

Spiritual Health

The college has an on campus chaplain who is available to all students no matter what their religious background.

Student Clubs

There are many social and emotional benefits to being involved in college clubs and groups. Students can contact the Student Administrative Council (SAC) for details or sign up during the first few weeks of school.

Financial Aid

For any information about OSAP, bursaries and scholarships, on campus employment or emergency loans, students can visit the Office of the Registrar & Financial Aid Services.

Tutoring services are free for Lambton College students and are available in select subjects. Contact tutoring@lambtoncollege.ca for more information.

The Centre for Academic Integrity assists students in developing good study habits and teaches students to eliminate risk factors that could lead to cheating.