Orientation for parents

Going into her fourth year at Dalhousie, Gillian Fung will talk to parents attending the orientation session about her experience living off campus. "Even if you're living at home you can still get really involved," says Ms. Fung, who studies physics and engineering. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

Jessica Roy remembers the mix of anxiety and exhilaration she experienced while arriving at Dalhousie for the first time.

Her first-year biology class had more people than in her entire hometown of Canning in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. And everyone else seemed more cosmopolitan than she did.

“I was terrified but excited too,” confesses Ms. Roy, who is finishing up her summer research job and getting ready to begin her fourth year of study at Dalhousie. “I think it’s important to come in with a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things. A go-get-‘em attitude will get you far.”

On Sunday, Sept. 6, Ms. Roy, who lives in residence, and Gillian Fung, who lives off campus, will speak to parents whose kids are leaving home and coming to university. While their sons and daughters are off making friends with their residence roommates or sipping “mocktails” at the Grawood, parents have been invited to their own orientation session organized by Student Community Services. Described as a “fun and frank discussion” on the transition to university student life, the session takes place at 1:30 p.m. in Ondaatje Hall of the Marion McCain Building.

“The idea is to give a little reassurance to parents, so I’m basically there to say, ‘I’m a girl from a small town and I turned out OK,’” says Ms. Roy, with a laugh.

More than OK, actually. The biology major is an active participant in the Halifax community: she’s a residence assistant in Risley Hall; one of two co-chairs of the Dalhousie chapter of Habitat for Humanity; takes part in intramurals; and volunteers at a local hospital visiting patients with dementia.

“I guess I want them to encourage their sons and daughters to really seize opportunities and to stretch themselves by straying outside their comfort zones … If you go in just focusing on academics, you won’t get everything Dal has to offer.”

Dalhousie President Tom Traves will provide a welcome to the parents while career specialist Cathy Campbell and noted social work professor Michael Ungar will lead the discussions.

“Parents are likely to shift roles, becoming coaches for their children instead of doing everything for them,” explains Dr. Ungar, author of We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids. “University is a rite of passage for young people; it’s a chance for them to take on responsibility, to develop common sense and to encounter and grow from personal challenges … it’s to remind parents that this is the time to give their kids some space.”

“University offers something like a second hidden curriculum—an opportunity to learn beyond the content of their courses,” he adds.

Parents or friends interested in attending the session should RSVP by August 31 at: http://myguide.dal.ca/welcome/familyandfriends/infosession.html.