Parent Resources
Sending your child off to college for the first time is never an easy thing to do. In the next four years, your child will grow and change in large part based on personal interactions and the environment in which he or she is living. We recognize that the culture at Salve Regina will have a big impact on your child's growth.
We take every part of the Salve Regina experience very seriously, and we have implemented a comprehensive prevention program to help our students - your children - make the safest, healthiest decisions possible.
Tips for Parents
- Talk with your student about the freedoms and responsibilities that come with being at college.
- Call your student frequently to find out how he/she is doing.
- Ask about the social environment on his/her campus.
- Avoid sharing stories that glorify college drinking.
- Share with your son/daughter any family history of alcohol or drug problems.
- Continue to encourage open dialogue with your son/daughter.
If Your Student Chooses to Drink
To make informed decisions about drinking, students should know about the law, the policy at the school he or she is attending, and the risks associated with drinking. Can underage drinking ever be considered "responsible"? However you answer this question for yourself, acknowledging that college students typically engage in underage drinking at some level sets the stage for a discussion between you and your child. To help your student avoid becoming sick or getting into dangerous situations if he or she chooses to drink, here are some tips to share:
- Set a limit before you start drinking and stick to it.
- Make sure you have eaten a full meal before you start drinking.
- Drink slowly.
- Alternate non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
- Avoid drinking shots and drinking games.
- Keep track of your drink.
- Don't attend parties alone and be sure to leave with a friend(s).
- Abstain from drinking if you are on medication.
Suggested Reading Material
- "Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years" by Karen Coburn and Madge L. Treeger, fourth edition, 2003.
- "You're on Your Own (But I'm Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years" by Marjorie Savage, 2003.
- "Our Drink: Detoxing the Perfect Family" by Chris Volkmann, 2004.
- "Dying to Drink: Confronting Binge Drinking on College Campuses" by Henry Wechsler, 2002.
- "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas, 2005.