Whether you’re a student lamenting an unjust encroachment on your newfound independence or a parent who delights in the welcome reprieve from an empty nest, Parents’ Weekend has a lot to offer.
Granted, some students may disagree with this sentiment, but surely, reuniting with the people who love and support them can’t be all that bad. These few days give both sides a chance to reconnect after what is for many their first extended period of separation. But we’ll admit, this is mainly for you parents.
UCLA is a large university and it can be difficult for your children to get socially and academically acclimated to their new surroundings. Your presence here allows you to put yourself in their shoes, maybe even remembering what it’s like to walk uphill both ways between school and home (so don’t be so hard on your kids if they skip class once in a while).
For parents of newly minted college students, this first month has been as much of a rite of passage for you as it has been for your children. We applaud your effort and perseverance that helped get them here in the first place, and of course your continued support, without which this university would not be as dynamic and accomplished as it is. This school is not just a community of scholars ““ it is also a massively extended family, and your participation in it doesn’t go unnoticed.
So be proud ““ we’re sure you already are ““ of your affiliation with UCLA. Wear that BearWear with dignity, and also with some ego if you’re in the presence of Trojans. Watch the Bruins play at the Rose Bowl and abide by our common heartbeat, the 8-clap. Ignore your students’ pleas to the contrary and get involved in their college experience.
While having fun and reinforcing your familial bonds is justifiably of prime importance, take advantage of the opportunities Parents’ Weekend offers in more practical areas as well.
College life poses a bevy of challenges that can overwhelm anyone. Students don’t have to bear the stresses inherent in rigorous courses and communal living by themselves.
Living in close quarters can be a health risk, especially for diseases like meningitis. Have your students vaccinated, for their protection and for others’. Keep lines of communication open and familiarize yourself with health resources such as Student Psychological Services and the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
And now that your children are in college, you’re also part of a larger state and national community ““ that of higher education. These communities are not without their problems, which can profoundly affect you and your students. It’s especially important for you to stay informed and involved at a public university like this one, where policy decisions have a much greater impact than at private institutions.
The next few years probably won’t be a breeze for you or for your students, but overcoming challenges is part of the fun and what makes college a setting for growth and maturity. Students should also realize that they aren’t the only ones struggling and be a little sympathetic when their worried parents call, and maybe even listen to a little bit of nagging without talking back.
Take in everything you can this weekend, enjoy each other’s company, and remember that you’re not alone. You have a Bruin family nearly 40,000-strong right there with you.