College Ready 2021 is a comprehensive guide for parents sending their students to college for the first time.
Written by university family relations program leaders from around the country, College Ready 2021 brings parents the most up-to-date information to prepare for the year ahead.
"A book that needed to be written; the whole family needs support for a successful transition to college. Let the national experts on parent and family engagement in higher education guide your family's transition."
JODI DWOKIN, Ph.D., Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota
“The transition to college isn't just about your student. This step-by-step guide offers tips for a successful first year for the whole family.”
MARJORIE SAVAGE, author of You're on Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years
“This book provides insight into an important time in your student’s educational career. The authors give first-hand guidance into how to make this a successful transition for you and your student.”
QUINCY SPENCER, Director of New Student & Family Programs, University of Arkansas
The first year of college is anxiety producing for students and their families in the best of times. But the Fall 2021 brings additional uncertainties. Many students and families will have lingering consequences from the tumultuous 2020 school year. And all campuses will still be addressing in some fashion Covid-19 and the need to keep their communities safe and healthy.
Each chapter provides practical guidance on what should be done during the summer, during drop-off, and the first semester.
Chapters address top-of-mind concerns, such as
We picked a school, now what?
How do we handle money?
How do we make the most of our last months together?
What stuff will fit in a dorm room?
Is it better to cry during or after drop-off?
How do I encourage independence and stay connected?
What do we do if my student isn’t succeeding?
How do I plan for their first visit home?
Checklists accompany each chapter so you don’t forget anything and don’t do things you shouldn’t! And the book is full of ideas on how to start those tough, but very much needed, conversations.
College Ready 2021 is edited by Chelsea Petree, Ph.D., who is the Director of Parent and Family Programs at the Rochester Institute of Technology. And each chapter is written by a university official, who works with parents to enhance student success at the collegiate level.