Higher York -

Information for Parents - Being Independent

How to help them be independent
For many students, going to university or college also means moving away from home for the first time. This will give them their first taste of independence, and they will have to make new friends, cook for themselves, look after their room or house, learn how to plan their work and free time and pay their own rent and bills.

It might be a good idea to offer to teach your son or daughter some essential skills before they leave – although they will learn quickly if you don’t. You could show him/ her how to cook a few simple, healthy meals – there probably won’t be enough space in a shared kitchen to produce anything more adventurous. Click here for details of popular student recipes.

Your child will also need to take responsibility for their money while they are at university or college and so it might be a good idea to show them how to budget – they may not be aware of how much food or household bills cost. Click here for tips on money management and budgeting. If your child gets into financial difficulty while they are at university, there are people at the institution who are trained to help and advise.