Helping College Students Thrive At Home For The Holidays

Drawing on over 25 years of experience as a student affairs administrator, Meyer noted that these holiday breaks mark the first extended visits home for many freshmen since beginning college.

Meyer emphasized that students undergo tremendous growth during their first few months on campus. She explained that young adults navigate new responsibilities, form fresh relationships, and discover their identities away from home. To help families navigate this transition smoothly, Meyer shared three key pieces of advice.

First, Meyer urged parents to recognize that their children have changed, stating, “A college student once stretched never regains their original dimension.” She advised families to listen with curiosity, observe with an open mind, and embrace the new ideas, values, and aspirations shaping their students' futures. Meyer encouraged parents to let students share what they have learned, noting, “While you don’t want to inundate them with too many questions, especially right when they walk through the door, allow them to share what they have learned and the ways they have grown.”

Second, Meyer emphasized the importance of providing a welcoming space for rest and recovery. She pointed out that students return home carrying the physical, mental, and emotional burdens of a busy semester, often dealing with academic pressures, loneliness, or seasonal illnesses. Meyer recommended creating a low-stress environment where students can catch up on sleep and recharge, explaining, “Home can be a powerful place of restoration, offering the space to sleep in, slow down, recharge and simply be.” She added that sometimes the best support is offering “a little patience, understanding, and unstructured time.”

Finally, Meyer advised families to establish new expectations and guidelines to accommodate their students' newfound independence. Because college students spend months managing their own schedules, discussions regarding curfews, household chores, and family obligations can cause friction. Meyer stressed that “open and honest conversations are essential" and advised parents to "look for ways to balance your student’s growing independence with the needs of your household.”

Ultimately, Meyer encouraged families to embrace the changes in their children while maintaining holiday traditions, reminding readers that while change is inevitable, there is still “no place like home for the holidays.”

Read the full op-ed here.