A Parent's perspective
Photo: Jason and his parents
We asked Jason’s parents what it was like for them when their son moved into residence for the first time. Here’s what they shared with us:
What issues were you most concerned about? How do you feel about those issues now?
Dad: We were most concerned about how he would fit in at residence and how he would like his roommate. Jason adapted really quickly to his new surroundings. We do not have any concerns now other than that he probably would rather live in residence than home.
Mom: The issue we were most concerned with was would he go to class – especially if it’s an early one. (We’re still concerned about this one!)
What was move-in day like for you? How did it seem for your son?
Dad: Other than being Sunday of a long weekend, it was well organized. I believe he was moved in and set up in an hour. Jason was excited and somewhat nervous because he really didn’t know anyone at Waterloo. Between his Don and the other guys on his floor he was comfortable very quickly.
Mom: We thought it would be a mass confusion; however, we were pleasantly surprised how easy it was. It was well mapped out where we should go, and then the help from the current Frosh students was quite unexpected. They even unloaded the car and brought his belongings to his room!
What advice would you give to parents who are now in the situation you were in this year – that is, their daughter or son is about to move away from home?
Mom: Remember that it is all about THEIR choices and decisions. Offer guidance. Visit the campuses they’re interested in so they can visualize the environment. Their experience should not be just about the courses.
Dad: Enjoy the experience and let your children enjoy it too. Be a part of the move but try not to take control of it, it’s their time – they have to deal with things now. It’s time to let go, or at least to start letting go.
What 3 things did your son forget in the initial move?
Mom: Printer, socks, hockey equipment.
How often did you communicate by phone or email during the first month of university?
Dad: We communicated half as much as we wanted to and twice as much as he wanted to. A good balance, I guess. An email every day in the beginning (not always answered though) now down to once a week. Phone conversations once every 2 weeks.
Mom: Responses were slow. It was reassuring to know he was not waiting for or needing our messages.
From your perspective, how quickly did your son seem to adjust to the new surroundings?
Mom: As soon as we left him alone!
Dad: I think reading week or frosh week is a must for students to adjust. By the end of that week he knew about 40 different people and was well on his way to developing friendships with some that I am sure will last a lifetime.
What other comments do you have about the residence experience?
Mom: We feel confident in Jason's residence . It came highly recommended by anyone we asked about it. The food quality was important to us as was the availability of it. The whole general feel is that of a tight-knit confident group at a large and prominent University.
Dad: I think residence life breaks down the University into a more manageable size they can handle. Now they are part of a group of about 300 instead of 25,000. Neither my wife nor I lived in residence when we went to University and always felt we missed out on something. We feel Jason is getting that experience now. The bonds and experiences he will have over the next year will stick with him for a lifetime. Something he will appreciate now and 20 years from now.
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