Transition to college is not always easy. During the first week, two weeks, month, few months, it is not uncommon for some students to call and want to come home. For most, a friendly, empathic voice and someone to listen is all that is needed. You might want to arrange, with your student, a system for calling home and keeping in touch. Some students may need a weekend home for refueling; to touch base, eat a home-cooked meal, get some sleep in his/her own bed. Some need to know that their parents will be open-minded about talking about change, perhaps after the first semester. Most young people will separate from their parents in their own way and at their own pace.
Moving to a place where you don’t know anyone can be a little difficult and stressful for some students. Drew’s small friendly campus makes this easy for them. If they live on campus, encourage them to go to the events scheduled in their hall by our enthusiastic Residence Life staff. Clubs and student organizations are also a great way to get connected – at last count Drew has over 90 clubs. Have them check out the web page for Student Organizations or the web page for Student Activities or Campus Life.
If your student needs someone to talk to during the night
Your child can text “Hello” to 741741 to reach the National Text Helpline at any time.
Caring Contact also offers hope and compassion through their caring & crisis hotline. All services are provided by volunteers who devote themselves to preventing suicide and other self-destructive behavior by listening actively and empathetically to people in distress, offering them emotional support without judgment. Their listeners are there for you seven days a week. Call 908.232.2880 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., per volunteer availability, the suicide lifeline 988, 24 hours a day.
If your student has Drew’s health insurance, they can call CareConnect and talk to a licensed mental health clinician any time by calling 1-888-857-5462.
If they are feeling unsafe on campus they can call Campus Security 973-408-3379 or reach out to their Community Assistant (CA).
The Residence Life Staff are trained professionals and paraprofessionals in assisting students to mediate conflict or address living concerns. your student complains (and they will), you will want to listen with a sympathetic ear and you might offer suggestions, but it would be helpful to direct them to on campus resources.
We encourage parents to communicate their concerns directly with their students rather than try to use a therapist as a go-between. If your student tells you they are seeing a counselor/therapist, without a release of information in place we cannot confirm or deny any connection with your student.
If you feel you have critical information that the counseling staff should know, or you are looking for advice on how to be more helpful to your student , you can call the Counseling Center and consult with one of our staff. The counselor will protect your students confidentiality, but can receive any information of an urgent nature.
If your student has had a sudden deterioration in functioning, has stopped communicating with anyone, or becomes irrational, reach out. If you believe your concern is urgent contact our Campus Security Office 24-hours a day at 973-408-3379. They will connect you with the on-call Residence Life Professional Staff.
