Preparing for boarding school can be a challenging experience for both parents and students. Even after selecting a boarding school, students may struggle to adjust to their new environment, especially during the first few weeks or months. It is common for students to experience homesickness and doubt their decision to attend boarding school.
As a parent, you can play a crucial role in helping your child transition to life as a boarding school student. Recognizing the various emotions that your child may experience, you can take specific steps to make the transition easier. To support your child during this significant change, we have compiled a list of useful tips for parents to follow.
Expert Tips For Parents:
Physical, Mental & Emotional Support
While you may have spent months researching and applying to schools, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your child is fully ready for the journey ahead.
Step One: Plan a visit to the boarding school campus before the school year begins. This visit will help your child become familiar with the environment and may help you put yourself in their shoes and empathise with their experience.
Step Two: Connect with other students and their families. This will give your child an opportunity to make friends before they start school and provide you with a network of other parents to connect with. This can be particularly helpful if you live far away from the school.
Step Three: It is essential to have a conversation with your child about their expectations of the boarding school experience. This discussion can help prepare your child mentally for the challenges they may face and provide an opportunity for you to address any concerns or questions they may have. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your child is ready for the adventure of attending boarding school.
Organise The Details
As a parent, it is essential to help your child stay occupied and focused on the positive aspects of attending boarding school. One effective way to do this is by organising and planning activities to keep them engaged and excited.
For example, you can schedule shopping trips to purchase items that will make their dorm or room feel more like home. This can include personal items such as photos, posters, or bedding. Additionally, if you have contact information for your child’s dorm mates, you can help plan fun activities or outings to do together before the school year begins. This can help your child feel more comfortable and connected with their peers.
By keeping your child occupied with activities and plans, you can prevent them from spending too much time worrying or overthinking the transition to boarding school. Instead, they can focus on the excitement of new experiences and opportunities that lie ahead.
Making new friends and building a sense of community
Making new friends and building a sense of community is an important part of adjusting to life at boarding school. Encourage your child to explore extracurricular activities that align with their interests and passions. This can be an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals and form strong friendships. Additionally, encourage your child to explore their hobbies and interests before attending boarding school, so they feel confident and assured when they arrive.
By giving your child these tools, you can help them approach the transition to boarding school with a positive and proactive mindset. This can make it easier for them to connect with others and build a community of friends that they will cherish for years to come.
Promote self-reliance
Last but not the least:
One important aspect of preparing your child for boarding school is helping them develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and their belongings. You can help them get in the right mindset for this by giving them similar tasks at home and encouraging them to take ownership of their belongings.
For example, you can have your child pack their own bags and check off all the necessary items before leaving for school. You can also encourage them to practise daily essentials like making their bed, folding their clothes, and keeping their living space tidy.
By taking on these responsibilities at home, your child will feel more confident and prepared to manage their belongings and take care of themselves in a boarding school setting. This can help them adjust more quickly to the demands of boarding school life and develop a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
