University for Parents: Guide to Student Life

Make sure your child has the best university experience possible by helping them consider student accommodation and campus activities.

If you went to university, the chances are that things have changed a little since you were a student! How students live, study and what they do throughout their university program may in fact have radically altered.

Facilities of all kinds have been expanded, technology is ever-evolving, housing has upgraded, social lives are multidimensional and the opportunity to travel as part of a degree is available at almost every turn.

Accommodation

University housing can be one of the key concerns for many parents, particularly if their child is hoping to study in another country. Even if this is not the case, the type, location and quality of university housing can be a crucial factor in deciding where to study.

It is true to say that universities share this concern and have, over the last decade or so, invested significant resources in their accommodation provision so that most students' needs are met. 

Depending on the university and the country, it is very common for all new students to have some form of housing guaranteed for their first year. 

Where this is not the case, the minimum you can expect for your child is support from a university housing service to give advice on the local housing market, recognized landlords, acceptable housing costs and perhaps even a legal service to ensure that student housing contracts are acceptable.

Most universities will offer a variety of housing types, from traditional halls of residence, where meals are provided for a termly or annual payment, to self-contained apartments, where students share the facilities with other students and are responsible for their own cooking and cleaning. 

Some students will be offered the opportunity to share with another student, others will be free to choose an ensuite, hotel-standard room. As a parent, you will know what your child has been used to and be able to help them select from the variety of housing choices their prospective institution might be able to offer them. 

And of course, all of the different university housing options have different price tags!

Social activities

One thing that hasn't changed about university life is the role students play on campus.  Whether through a Student Union or other organized society, or just a group of like-minded individuals getting together, student power is still a force to be reckoned with! 

Political, social, sporting, cultural or academic interests are still at the heart of university of life and you can be sure that your child's particular interests will be catered for, whatever they may be. Encouraging your child to find out more and get involved will help him/her make friends, meet new people, discover new interests and generally have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

In an increasingly competitive labor market, involvement in a range of campus activities can also make the difference between an average resume and an outstanding one.

In addition, it may also be possible for your child to participate in a year abroad or student exchange program. In Europe, for example, the Erasmus student mobility program has existed for 25 years and seen more than two million students travel under its organization to partner universities and colleges throughout the EU.

Additionally, most of the world's top 200 universities participate in student exchange or mobility schemes of their own that encourage students to study abroad for an agreed period of time, such as a semester or a full academic year, allowing them to earn academic credit throughout the process.

Enjoying the entire university experience is vital in getting the most out of all opportunities your child will be presented with throughout his/her university education. Your help in supporting them through the research process to ensure that they consider all aspects of their prospective university has to offer is a vital one.