As you prepare your child to head off to boarding school, you may have mixed emotions. Excitement may be mixed with feelings of nervousness or worry about spending time away from each other. We have gathered a few tips and things to keep in mind for first-time parents of boarding school students, so you can enjoy this unique experience as a family.
Your child is in safe hands
We at Educare offer each student individual academic, social and emotional support, while also working together with the student on goal-setting and personal development. Our consultants also act as a communication hub, connecting parents and families with teachers, Residential Advisors, University Advisors, nurses and more. This means that your child can always turn to their consultants for guidance, whether it be for academic or personal matters, and that you as parents will be kept informed about your child’s development at school.
Encourage your child to make new friends
Boarding school is an amazing place to meet people from all over the world. Even if your child doesn’t know anyone when they first arrive, they will soon be making friends from all over the globe. Boarding school is a wonderful time to get involved with sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities, as well as to make new friends. When the school day is over, one of the best parts of attending boarding school is that your child will still be surrounded by their new friends while enjoying extracurricular activities or catching up on homework in their dorm room. Your child will also be able to spend lots of time bonding together as a family since you’ll both be living on campus together. While life at boarding school is busy, it is also incredibly exciting as your child makes new friends from around the world and gets ready for the excitement of their next step: university.
A care package is always a good idea
Sending your child a care package with some of their favorite things is a great way of making them feel more at home on campus. Maybe your child has a favorite snack that isn’t available abroad or a certain brand of shampoo that they love and have gotten used to at home. Why not also include some family photos or something to read? Often, it’s the little things that make a big impact.
Help them create their home away from home
To help your child feel at home in their dorm room, pack some slippers for inside, a cozy blanket for naps, and some small ornaments to make the room more personal.
Remind them that boarding school abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
The international boarding school experience is a one-of-a kind opportunity for students to develop their intellectual skills and gain a strong cross-cultural awareness. Your child will be living and studying in an incredibly vibrant and inspiring environment, where they will be surrounded by people who come from all over the world. These diverse peers will allow your child to not only learn from them but also inspire each other.
Keep in touch, but give them space
If your child is away from home, you might be feeling concerned about their well-being. That’s why it’s so important to keep the lines of communication open with them. They’re always just a phone call away! Why not schedule a family Facetime or Zoom call to catch up with your child and hear everything about what they’ve been up to at school lately? Maybe you can get a virtual tour of how they’ve decorated their dorm room! Just remember to give your child space and time as they get settled into this new exciting chapter of their life.
Educare works with the family to ensure that you and your child receive the support and guidance needed to prepare you for the exciting journey ahead.