Q&A: Debi Townsend

Q: What surprised you about Allie starting college?
A: I would have to say, that I was in awe of the possibilities for her. I had no idea how many different opportunities were at the school and how many different types of ideas she was learning.

Q: What was your biggest worry for Allie's first year?
A: Safety. And, I just wanted the very best for her. I was hoping the transition would be easy.

Q: What was the move-in experience like?
A: It was exciting. It made me feel young again. To me, it was a whole new world for her.

Q: Do you have any advice for parents in how to better prepare to move into the dorms?
A: The kids need to do the work, or at least be a part of all of it: the packing and planning. You need to let them be independent, but always be there to listen. You can’t always solve any problem that comes up for them.

Q: Was it hard to leave that first day? How did you deal with it?
A: Oh yes. I waited until I was in the car and then I cried.

Q: IU is fairly close to home. How often did you see your daughter?
A: That first year we talked almost every night on the phone, but as far as seeing her, not enough. I was homesick for her.

Q: Do you think IU freshmen should bring cars to campus?
A: No. I really don’t. Allie’s circumstances were different – there was only her and I – and I understand why she wanted one there. She didn’t want to be stuck. I understand that part of it, but watching a lot of people, I don’t think it was necessary for the general population. There are too many people who try to leech on.

Q: Was there ever a situation that you needed to help your daughter through that was particularly tough? How did you do it?
A: I think transitioning, finding different people who suited her. She really wanted to find the network of friends that she wanted to have forever and she found them.

Q: What was the first visit home from college like? Did you notice a change? How did you deal with it?
A: I was amazed at how matured she had become. It was definitely a young lady rather than a child that came home. She made her own decisions that didn’t always match with mine, but I had to learn to treat her like an adult.

Q: What do you wish you would have known that you know now?
A: That most problems that arose eventually worked out on their own.

Q: What do you wish you would have done differently?
A: I would have listened better, instead of just hearing what she had to say. I really had a hard time with realizing that she was an adult during the first year.

Q: What’s one thing you think all parents of IU students should know?
A: Academically and socially, the possibilities are absolutely endless. Their children are going to come home with a much more intelligent way of looking at the world. Instead of worrying, be excited about the outcome.