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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

Some helpful tips from a mom

We asked Laura Wisinski, mother of the Indiana Daily Student’s summer editor-in-chief Rachel, about her experience with the four years her daughter spent at IU. Read her advice on everything from academics to food choices in town.

If your child doesn’t do his or her own laundry, doesn’t do the dishes and doesn’t take care of the dog, he or she will learn how while in college.

In high school, Rachel was always an independent young lady.

She was still independent at IU, but it came with a little more hesitation because she was going to be 300 miles from home.

Being at a campus far from home, a parent is not readily there to take care of a sick child or a little problem that may arise.

Thus, distance makes your child learn to be independent and mature sooner than they may wish. It’s all a part of growing up.

But to be a distance away also can be fun. Bloomington has something for everyone.

I suggest you go out for a bite to eat on campus. Have your child pick out the place and experience what college dining means to them.

I don’t eat seafood, but Rachel took us to a sushi restaurant and her dad ate sushi, which is something he said he would never do.

The variety of restaurants is amazing. There are Thai restaurants, burger places, Italian places, all the way down to bagel sandwiches. All very good food.

Of course, distance made going to any functions Rachel was involved in, or helping with anything she needed, a bit more difficult, which was something we both had to get used to.

Coordinating work schedules and school for her siblings was hectic.

We needed almost an entire day to travel and to still be able to make it for the weekend or to see her get an award.

But make time for this. Your child will only attend college once, and seeing these big moments and accomplishments in their lives is everything.

Also make time for a phone call a week. It’s not easy finding a time that will work for you both, but put it in your schedule and make it happen.

Rachel was a resident assistant for two years, so when she decided to rent an apartment with some friends, it brought new challenges.

Learning to live with others and their habits caused frustration for her, but just being there to listen proved useful.

Sometimes your child will just need reassurance that what they’re doing is right for them. Encourage them to try out for the team or to apply for the job.

Many tears were shed throughout all four years, and luckily we were able to talk about problems.

We weren’t always able to solve things, but definitely just be there for support, and things will fall into place.

Rachel went to IU for its journalism program. She spent many, many hours at Ernie Pyle Hall, which she considered her second home.

At one point, she was really interested in her criminal justice classes and even considered being a police officer.

There are so many choices and decisions to make, and my only advice to parents is be there for your child, to support them and to offer help whenever they are willing to accept it.

No matter what age they are, they’re always going to be your child, and sometimes letting them take the next step or make the right choice on their own can be just as rewarding.

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