Supporting Your Coug

The following tips can help you confidently navigate your student’s college experience and provide support when and how they need it. 

Remember that your support is vital to your student’s success. 

You are your student’s biggest champion! Provide encouragement and support during challenges: Let your student know you’re there for them, and encourage them to take advantage of campus resources that can help address whatever issue they’re experiencing. 

Remind your student that they belong here. 

If your student is struggling (or even if they’re not!), remind them that they belong at WSU, and that they have what it takes to be successful here. It can help to remind your Coug that every student experiences challenges during college, that they’re not alone, and that there are resources available to help them. 

Understand your changing role. 

The transition from high school to college is a time of major change for you and your student, and it’s important for all of you to understand how your role will shift. What this looks like is different for every family, so we recommend working together to set expectations that make sense for your relationship and your student’s needs. 

Be clear about financial expectations. 

Agree on your role in helping with expenses before the start of the semester. Whether you’re covering the majority of your student’s expenses or none, being clear up front about who’s paying for what will help prevent misunderstandings.