By: Dr. Susan Han and Dr. Bruce Herman, UMBC Counseling Center
College is a time for growth and parental support throughout the college experience is invaluable. The first year is a year of transition. Parents not only experience the excitement and anxiety along with their sons and daughters, but can also provide support when students are confronted with new challenges. Incoming freshmen often have difficulty finding balance among the many new opportunities at college. Students who get involved in campus organizations, jobs and activities generally do better academically and are more likely to stay in school. However, it is sometimes challenging to figure out how to find balance and manage time. Students’ lives in college are generally much less structured than they were in high school. As a parent, you can help prepare your child anticipate academic and social challenges as he or she moves from home and takes steps toward independence. Stay alert for signs of distress and possible changes in mood or behavior, and throughout the year, ask questions and listen to how they are feeling. In addition, encourage them to use resources on campus. If a student has been receiving ongoing mental health care, or you expect that they will require mental health services while at UMBC, it may be helpful to contact the Counseling Center before school begins to discuss how to best meet their needs for mental health services.
The Counseling Center is a free and confidential resource at UMBC that provides short-term individual counseling, group therapy, psychiatric consultation and referral assistance on a wide variety of concerns. Some students talk to their counselors about their struggles to adjust to UMBC, while others seek treatment for mood and/or anxiety disorders. Counseling Center staff also provide drop-in workshops called “Skills 4 Success” which help students learn strategies to improve time management, procrastination difficulties, test anxiety and stress management. At any time, parents can reach out to the Counseling Center for consultation regarding how they can best support their son or daughter. Further information about the Center is available at our website or you can call 410-555-2472 for further information.