Transition

Continuing the Journey

By the second year and beyond, students are building confidence, clarifying academic and career goals, and taking on greater responsibility both inside and outside the classroom. As they refine their path, your role naturally shifts from day-to-day manager to trusted mentor. Your steady encouragement, perspective, and belief in their abilities continue to play an important role in their success.

Deepening Academic Focus throughout the Second Year

As the first year comes to a close, your student will transition from exploration to clarification. They may declare or confirm majors, build relationships with faculty, and begin thinking more seriously about career pathways.

Action Items:

  1. Although it is not mandatory, encourage your student to meet regularly with their academic advisors
  2. Remind them to review their degree progress and major requirements regularly
  3. Explore if they are interested in any undergraduate research, internships, or other
  4. Continue to review financial aid information and any scholarship renewal requirements

Conversation Starters:

  1. What are you enjoying most about your program so far?
  2. Have any classes or experiences sparked new interests or even career ideas?

 

Tips for Families:

  1. Support exploration while encouraging commitment
  2. Inquire about their long-term plans or hopes without pressuring them 
  3. Remind your student that they are accountable for their own academic planning

Building Leadership & Experience in the third year

As your student wraps up their second year and enters their third, they will often expand their on-campus involvement, pursue internships, and take on leadership roles in student organizations.

Action Items:

  1. Strongly encourage your student to apply for internships, part-time jobs, or other leadership roles
  2. Discuss other potential and networking opportunities
  3. Explore study abroad programs 
  4. Encourage your student to consider attending
  5. Check in on their time management and balance

Conversation Starters:

  1. What experiences have been helping you grow, outside of the classroom?
  2. Are there any leadership roles that interest you?
  3. Have you had a chance to check out ?
  4. Have you had a chance to visit ?

Tips for Families:

  1. Continue to shift from problem-solving to asking guiding or prompting questions
  2. Celebrate them for taking the initiative and developing professionally
  3. Encourage resilience if internships or other exciting opportunities don't work out immediately

Preparing for graduation and what's next

As graduation approaches, the beginning of the end starts. Your student will be focusing more intentionally on post-graduate careers, graduate school, or other post-graduation plans.

Action Items:

  1. Discuss career goals and timelines for making those happen
  2. Encourage your student to attend
  3. Encourage your student to visit for resume reviews, mock interviews, and help with job searching
  4. Review graduation requirements and application deadlines
  5. Talk about planning financially for life after graduation

Conversation Starters:

  1. What does your ideal first year out of college look like?
  2. What steps are you taking now to better prepare for your future?
  3. How can I support you as you think about your next steps?

Tips for Families:

  1. Try to offer perspective, not pressure
  2. Normalize uncertainty — many students refine plans after graduation
  3. Continue to encourage independence while remaining a consistent source of support