Visiting Your University-Going Child on Campus? Here’s What You Can Do!

When your child goes off to university in a different city or country, it can be quite the trying time for you as a parent. The feeling of your child being out in the world alone can be quite daunting, and empty nest syndrome is practically a given.

Visiting your child while they are at university can be a great experience! They are bound to be going through spells of homesickness too, so the familiar comfort of home in the form of their parents can do them well.

Once you make your way over to their new home, what could there be on the agenda? It can get confusing trying to figure out what to do while visiting your kid at university, so here’s a helpful list to guide you along!

A Campus Tour

Most universities offer campus tours, usually open to not only parents and prospective students but to tourists too. You can either let your kid show you around the campus or take on of these tours with them, which offers an educational and insightful look into your child’s place of learning.

Meet Their Friends

Depending on your relationship with your child, they may be quite eager for you to meet their friends, or might want to avoid the situation entirely. If the former is indeed the scenario, it’s important to be get to know the people in your child’s social support system at university.

Try not to be too critical of the company they keep, but do air out any legitimate concerns you may have at a later time!

A Nice Lunch or Dinner

You can’t go wrong with a nice meal in a fine restaurant! Whether it’s a casual lunch or a fancy dinner, you get to spend some quality time with your child and catch up on lost time and missed details.

Popular Tourist Spots

Depending on the university your child goes to and the length of your stay, this is the perfect opportunity to explore any popular tourist spots nearby with your kid. If your kid is busy with classes during the day, then you can venture off on your own to explore.

Book Accommodations Nearby

For your own ease of access, book your room in a hotel near the campus. It’s usually not possible to stay with your kid, and it’s a good idea to avoid that scenario altogether.

If your child is a student at Stanford University, then Stanford Terrace Inn offers wonderful lodgings. As far as hotels near Stanford go, this is the closest you’re going to get. While you’re there, explore the arts and culture of Palo Alto and attend a few Stanford University events open to the public!