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I did not think it would happen but my son is beginning to feel stressed about going to college this Fall. He is away for the summer and will return a week before he heads off to school. He says he is looking forward to college and going awaybut admits he is getting a bit stressed. Any thoughts from parents and/or former freshman?

By Dadster on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 12:23 am: Edit

Not to worry, Ted. I think many kids get a bit anxious over the summer - did they pick the right school? Will they be able to handle the work? What if they get a bad roommate?

Once they get into the hustle & bustle of orientation, making tons of new friends, and starting their classes, all those summer worries tend to evaporate.

By BBB on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 07:48 pm: Edit

Maybe you could suggest he try to e-mail some of his future classmates, particularly his roommate, to get some favorable expectations going instead of the worries.

By Hopeful on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 04:14 pm: Edit

Someone recommended to me a book called "Letting Go," which addresses issues surrounding kids leaving home for college. Don't remember who it's by, but it's pretty widely available. I flipped through it at the bookstore, don't own a copy, but it looked somewhat interesting.

By Sally R. on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 09:49 am: Edit

"Letting Go," is a good choice, and it's by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger. Another one to try is "Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years," by Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller.

While both of these books are geared to parents (i.e., they may not help your son's anxiety but will enable YOU to deal with it!), I think that your son may find some sections reassuring as well (at the very least, he will realize that many other kids share his concerns).