Every year, the University sets aside three days for parents to come visit their baby falcons for Family Fun Weekend.
Being away from home for the first time can be a big adjustment for a lot of students. There’s no one to do your laundry, give you gas money or make your favorite meal. But all those things aside, the change is for the better.
For me, college was just another thing my parents told me to do. I was a good student from a middle-class family so there was really no reason for me not to go. It was no different than going to practice or waking up in the morning for school. But after three years, I finally understand the bigger picture. Our parents send us to college to become adults.
The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “adult” as a fully developed person from maturity onward. After debating with my colleagues, we agreed an adult is a person who finds his supreme role in life and uses his knowledge to become a productive member of society. College is a growing experience we all go through together, mom and dad included. Whether we think so or not, our parents are essential to the people we become.
Growing up in a small town an hour away, my parents were only a short drive down Route 6 so I never had anyone come visit me for Family Fun Weekend.
But I’m not sad or bitter about it because I know if I ever need anything my parents aren’t very far away. I know my parents love me and want to help anyway they can. They want to see me become an adult and be just as happy as they are.
So if mom and dad are planning on visiting this weekend, don’t be embarrassed if they seem overly excited and happy to see you. They just care; that’s what real parents do.