Getting and keeping students involved in campus activities outside of classes keeps them out of trouble and helps them make friends with fellow students. Various clubs and organizations on campus suit diverse areas of interest and abilities; these include the student newspaper, radio or television station and intramural sports teams. Many campus clubs begin right in the student's major. An environmental science club may spend the day cleaning out a local river -- introducing a student to both fellow students and the community where she attends school. As students progress, they may also join a fraternity or sorority.
Colleges and universities include educated professionals knowledgeable about career advice and many are anxious to share what they know. Mentoring connects students with their future and can help them with jobs, internships and as practicing professionals. Upperclassmen can help freshmen adjust to college life, introducing them to people on campus and to get acclimated.
Considering how much time is spent in the dorm room with another student, it is important that this grows to be a healthy relationship. Making the room feel like home -- filling it with pictures and mementos -- can help students to battle loneliness and homesickness. Adjustments should happen on both sides, meaning both roommates should learn to accommodate the needs of the other.
Show support from home in a number of ways including care packages. Who would not want a box of Mom's homemade cookies or a container of survival items for the dorm room? Use a Web camera and connectivity program like Skype to have a face-to-face chat. Both parents and children can use the computer to see each other. Remind students that college is supposed to be challenging and being "stressed out" about courses and the workload is part of the college experience. Do not be a so-called helicopter parent by hovering over every need and want while kids are away at school.