Get to Know Student Affairs
The staff in the Division of Student Affairs is happy that your student has chosen to learn, live, explore, and grow with us. Parents of college students are often told to "let go," but "instead" we hope you and your student are communicating about how your role changes as your student develop and the ways that you can be productively involved to help your student throughout their college career.
The world of college can be a mysterious place with its own language, norms, and expectations. Watch a fun video about Grinnell's acronyms.
If you've never attended college yourself, it may seem especially overwhelming. Even if you attended college, chances are that the experience has changed since you were on a campus. Here are some suggestions to help you become more familiar with the resources available in Student Affairs and beyond. These resources can help students navigate the transition to increased independence and increased responsibility.
Soon, the crunch time before finals week will arrive and students will be balancing their time, investing in their academic work, and preparing for break. When you talk with them, encourage them to make good decisions around sleep, substance use, nutrition, and time management in order to set them up for success as the semester closes. They can reach out to resources on campus if they need assistance. And, there will be posters hanging around campus to instruct them on how to prepare their residence hall room for winter break.
Finally, most Grinnell students will soon be returning home for a long winter break. Be prepared for a range of possible scenarios. They may have lots to tell you, or may have very little to say. They may want to spend lots of time with old friends, or they may spend a lot of time asleep. Home is a refuge, and we hope you enjoy getting to know your student all over again.
We look forward to partnering with you to help your student thrive at Grinnell College.