Getting in was the goal. Belonging is the mission. Two books that run in parallel for five weeks — one for your student, one for you. They never read each other's.
At seventeen, your student shouldn't be journaling next to you. And you shouldn't be flying blind. So this one comes as two books.
The Student Journal (19 pages, bilingual) — private. Nobody grades it, and they share only what they choose.
Answer any 3 of 5 prompts each week, with some marked OPTIONAL — declining is a real choice
Real situations, not just reflection: "Your roommate's partner has been in your room for six days straight. What do you actually say?" · "A friend asks to borrow $200 and you have $340 left for the month."
What Others Said — anonymous data from students who went first
Bring to Your Mentor — the only part they share
The Parent Edition (18 pages, bilingual) — yours. They never see it.
Three prompts a week, plus DO and DO NOT lists: "Do not ask about the major more than once a week. They are counting."
FERPA and HIPAA at 18 — once enrolled, the college legally can't discuss grades or health with you without written permission. Handle it before move-in, not during a crisis.
The first-semester emotional calendar — weeks 6–8 are the most common crisis-call window of the year
Warning signs — when a bad week is something more
What to say when they call struggling — a swap table, plus the one question that works most often
My Month One Plan — you fill it in before move-in
Format: Instant digital download (2 PDFs). Best for: Rising college freshmen and their parent or guardian.
