My College:
Welcome to the College Year
CollegiateParent is excited to be part of your family’s journey at the University of Alabama. Our magazine is filled with advice — from college professors and staff, students, and your fellow parents — to help you and your student thrive in the year ahead.
Part 2 All About Academics
Part 3 Health & Well-Being

Part 1: The Transition to College

Rhythm of the First Semester

Rhythm of the First Semester

After all of the applications, tours, decisions, packing, unloading, and last-minute (if not outdated) parental advice, your students are on their own...

Who Is Your First‑Year Student?

Who Is Your First‑Year Student?

Whoever your student was when you dropped them off at school, they’ll be practically unrecognizable when you see them next. There may be...

Tips on Making It Through the First Year

Tips on Making It Through the First Year

College is a hugely idealized time of life. Before move-in day, my expectations were loosely based on things my...

Campus Resources: Your Cheat Sheet

Campus Resources: Your Cheat Sheet

What are all those buildings on campus, anyway? Where can your student find support and community, and who do YOU call when you...

Handling Roommate Issues

Handling Roommate Issues

It’s exciting to move to campus and start college life, but first-year students are usually a bit anxious, too. One of the biggest unknowns: Will I get...

Part 2: All About Academics

Study Time Matters

Study Time Matters

Most college students want to do well, but they don’t always know what is required to do well. Finding and spending quality study time is one of the first and most important skills...

The Importance of Professors and Advisors

The Importance of Professors and Advisors

The student-professor relationship is one of the most important to cultivate. Academic advisors are also...

Should My Student Withdraw from a Difficult Course?

Should My Student Withdraw from a Difficult Course?

Students may confront an especially difficult course at any point in college. They may have seen it coming, or may be...

Part 3: Health & Well-Being

Essential Health Conversations

Essential Health Conversations

In college, probably for the first time, your student will be wholly responsible for taking care of their own physical and emotional well-being...

A Mental Health Game Plan for College Students and Families

A Mental Health Game Plan for College Students and Families

Though a few will breeze through the college years, many will struggle at some point along the way...

Assertiveness is the Secret Sauce

Assertiveness is the Secret Sauce

There’s so much to do as you send your kids off to college: planning, buying, packing, and managing emotions. As a father who dropped off four...

Is Your Student at Risk for an Eating Disorder?

Is Your Student at Risk for an Eating Disorder?

With increased awareness of mental health challenges among adolescents, parents are more attuned than ever...

Part 4: Life Outside the Classroom

Learning to Manage Money

Learning to Manage Money

For first-year students, one of the biggest challenges outside the classroom is learning to manage money. They’re now responsible for paying for all sorts...

5 Ways to Begin Career Prep in the First Year

5 Ways to Begin Career Prep in the First Year

Starting college is exciting for students and for their families, too. You spent the summer getting ready for the move to campus...

The Value of Outside Opportunities

The Value of Outside Opportunities

College is so much more than simply completing enough credits to graduate. During their years on campus...

Housing Timeline

Housing Timeline

Your student is all moved in, so housing is off your to-do list for a while, right? Wrong! Housing season starts earlier than you might think. If you don’t want your student...


Proud Supporters