College brings many opportunities for students. The most important

opportunity is preparing for a career. College is also brings opportunities

for students to develop social skills and make friendships that last a

lifetime. But how do these new social opportunities affect the student's

academics?

Each year, some students lose the privilege of attending college due to poor

grades caused by too much social life. Here are some ideas that may prevent

the "social life" degree overtaking the academic degree.

Discuss social responsibility with your student. Discuss underage drinking,

drug use, dating relationships, and social skills (picking up your stuff,

respecting quiet times, and using hygiene skills). Develop the "sharing

space with others" skill.

Students with this skill enjoy their dorm experience more than those that

struggle to share space. Define what is and what is not acceptable and then

list the consequences ranging from sanctions from Mom and Dad to a police

record. Let your student know you expect him or her to meet your

expectations.

Tell your student stories about your own college or moving out experiences.

These stories can share lessons without your student going through the tough

experiences. This is also a great way to start that social responsibility

conversation and keep the communication channels open.

Let your student know the consequences of good and poor choices. Remind them

that you can remove funding and bring the student home if he or she doesn't

meet the expectations of the college or Mom and Dad. Discuss the consequences

to scholarships, loans, and grant money, not just at the current institution

but also for the remainder of the student's education.

Discuss the cost of not completing college. Include the cost to future

earnings, cost to future promotions, and the cost of paying student loans

without a degree.

Keep in contact with your child. Send old-fashioned letters and packages

(students love this), send email, call occasionally but don't go overboard.

If you feel your student is not doing well, know the people to contact before

the crisis develops. Know the tutoring center contact information, mediation

center phone number, and other support services locations. Sometimes your

student is just too overwhelmed to find the help on their own

Let your student handle as much as possible. College is a growing experience,

developing responsibility and creating the beliefs and goals that build the

student's future. Socialization and networking start here as well. Just

remember that many "right ways" of balancing academics and social life

exist.

Your student wants to make Mom and Dad proud. Cheer the accomplishments

knowing that though some mis-steps may happen, overall your student will

remember your expectations and maintain the balance necessary to wave that

college diploma high.