When choosing a college, there are several factors that must be thought of. Is the price reasonable? Is it too close or too far from home? Is the campus big enough or small enough? Safe enough? It can be one of the biggest decisions a young adult makes in their life.
I made the choice to attend the same university that one of my parents attended, and I'm not alone. Students all over the America are walking in their parent's footsteps across campuses everywhere. The biggest issue is how to make their alma mater, yours? How can you turn their stomping grounds into your home away from home? How can you turn their favorite place into your own special place without just reliving their glory?
1. Enjoy their favorite places
Take the time to visit your mom or dads’ favorite places. They get a kick out of telling you stories from when they used to spend hours upon hours on that floor of the library, when they almost broke their neck playing pickup football in the ROTC field or when they jumped off the balcony of that house on Main street. Visit their favorite coffee shop or take selfies at their favorite bar. They love that you can experience the same fun they had when they walked the very same campus
2. Invite them to come back to campus
Let’s be honest, your parents would be on campus living it up with you every weekend if you let them. That was their old stomping ground and they probably miss it. So don’t be stingy when it comes to inviting them to visit. If they feel like you want them there, they won’t feel bad about reliving their younger years. Homecoming…Definitely. Family weekend…Of course. Basically every time you do anything remotely exciting, invite them. This campus was their home and they love watching you make it yours as well.
3. Discover your own places
Just because your parents made their memories and lived their lives doesn’t mean you need to follow their footsteps. They want you to experience the same things they did, they want you to love the same things they loved. But they also want you to make your own memories. Discover areas of campus that they never even knew about. Find your own favorite bar and coffee shop. Don’t let their experiences dictate your 4-year path.
4. Don't forget to thank them
Your parents may get caught up in the “back in my day” stories. But they are just so happy that you made the choice to attend their alma mater. So don’t forget to thank them for telling you all those stories and making you fall in love with a university before even setting foot on its campus.
