Supporting your child’s university transition

Clementine Wade, university and school coach, has worked as a teacher, examiner and uni coach since 2005. She specialises in Key Stage 5 qualifications and super selective universities. Clem's created guidance to help you understand results day and Clearing, and get to grips with what you should be doing when to best support your child through the process.

The weeks between receiving results and starting university or college can feel like limbo for both students and parents. However, this in-between period is actually a golden opportunity to help them build confidence, develop independence, and ease pre-university nerves. 

So, here’s now to use the summer; not in a haze of Netflix and anxiety, but how to keep them engaged and motivated to enable them to thrive in their new environment. 

When students are at university or college they will need to cook, clean, and wash their own clothes: key skills many of our young people are desperately under-prepared for.  

Teach them a few key meals to ensure they don’t just live on toast alone. Eating cheaply doesn’t mean eating badly. 

Start with cooking basics: teach them five go-to meals they can make without a recipe, from pasta with simple sauces to one-pot dishes that provide leftovers. Show them how to create a weekly meal plan and grocery list, explaining how to shop smart by checking what's already in the cupboard, comparing prices, and planning meals around special offers.  

Laundry might seem straightforward, but many students arrive at university having never separated colors from whites or understood washing symbols – spend time going through the process together, including how to treat stains and when items need special care. These aren't just practical skills; they're confidence builders that help your child feel capable and independent. And if you haven’t already, invest in Tide pens to get pesky stains out. 

As we all know, attending university or college is an expensive endeavour. Outside of student loans and maintenance, your young person needs to be taught how to budget. 

Start by identifying the real costs together; examine accommodation, course materials, food, transport, and social activities. Have honest conversations about lifestyle expectations and what's truly affordable – encourage them to connect with current students through social media or directly via the university to get realistic perspectives on student life.  

Help them create a realistic monthly budget based on their maintenance loan, scholarships, bursaries, part-time work, and any parental support, using student-friendly apps or simple spreadsheets.  

Teach them the 50-30-20 rule: 50% for essentials, 30% for wants, and 20% saved for contingencies.  

The key here isn’t just to budget, but it’s to do it in a way they can easily access and update, to ensure it works for them.  

And try the £5 challenge, where they have to see how much and how long £5 can last them. It’s a low stakes introduction to budgeting like a student. 

Encourage your child to take on a part-time job – even a few weeks in retail, hospitality, or office work develops customer service skills, workplace confidence, and provides spending money. If employment isn't possible, volunteering in their field of interest can be equally valuable and looks great on their CV.  

Balance this with gentle academic preparation by tackling any pre-reading lists or online courses related to their subject, but keep it manageable rather than intensive cramming.  

This is also the perfect time to pursue hobbies that might be harder to maintain at university, whether that's learning to cook properly, taking up photography, or finally finishing that novel they started. Consider encouraging them to learn a practical skill like basic car maintenance, coding, or a new language through free online platforms.  

The key is keeping them engaged without overwhelming them – a mix of productive activities, skill-building, and genuine relaxation will leave them feeling accomplished and excited rather than anxious about the term ahead. 

If your child is struggling with nerves, acknowledge these feelings rather than dismissing them, and work together on practical strategies.  

Lots of students feel homesick at some point in the first term, so whether it's taking a weekend over the summer to explore their new town, visiting the campus when it's quieter, or helping them connect with future flatmates through accommodation and course online groups, strategise with your child around what might make the transition feel less daunting. 

If your child is commuting, offer to do the route to university with them a couple of times, at different times of day, so they understand transport options, timing, and have backup plans if their usual route is disrupted.  

For students moving away, consider visiting local supermarkets, finding the nearest pharmacy, and locating their accommodation in relation to key campus buildings – this practical familiarisation can significantly reduce first-week stress.  

Then, look at the Freshers’ timetable together to identify things that your child might enjoy attending and things they won’t. Indeed, you can go one step further and watch these events or societies on YouTube or on universities’ social media channels to get a real sense of what they offer. 

Ultimately, remember that some anxiety is actually helpful as it shows they're taking this transition seriously, but if worries seem overwhelming or are affecting their sleep and daily life, don't hesitate to seek support from your GP or contact university student services for more advice. 

Higher education seems to come with its own language, which can be a little bewildering for all. So, here’s a crash course of the basics:  

• Reading Week means half term. 

• A Fresher means a new first year student. 

• Seminars are small group teaching classes, where students will be encouraged to discuss rather than just listen.  

• Contact hours are the scheduled teaching time your student has in their discipline. 

• Societies are clubs, usually organised by fellow students, around special interests, sports, and culture. 

• The Student Union is a student-run organisation that represents and supports students.  

There are many more niche words, but hopefully this gives you a good start! 

I remember really appreciating my sister taking the time to help decorate my room, making an extremely grey shoe box come to life with a surprising array of fairy lights. 

Ensure you know what your child wants so everyone is on the same page and your heart isn’t dashed when they want to move in by themselves. 

Pack a "first day survival kit" with essentials like bedding, basic toiletries, snacks, phone charger, and important documents in an easily accessible bag, so your child has everything they need even if other boxes take time to unpack.  

Once you've helped them move their belongings in, resist the urge to organise their entire room – instead, focus on setting up the bed and unpacking immediate necessities, then step back and let them arrange their space as they want it.  

Before you leave, remind them that feeling overwhelmed on the first day (and week!) is completely normal (if they are) and most importantly, trust that you've prepared them well for this moment and that the independence you've been building all summer will serve them now when they need it most. 

And finally, keep your goodbye brief and positive; lingering farewells we don’t want!