A Parents’ Guide to Navigating the First Year of College

Here’s a list of key services and opportunities that support student success

As exciting and emotional as it is for young people to head off to college, this milestone can be tough for parents, too. It might be the first time their child is living away from home.

Will this new home away from home provide your child with the resources, support systems and academic and social opportunities that ensure their safety, well-being and success?

At Sacred Heart, the answer is a resounding yes! Here’s a guide to SHU’s key student support services and opportunities on and around campus.

Public Safety: Keeping Students Safe

With a 24/7, 365-day presence, SHU’s public safety department, which is led by retired Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara, fosters and maintains a safe and secure environment for the University community. Through public safety’s mandatory emergency notification system, the entire SHU community is instantly notified of emergencies by text or a call, along with clear, timely and actionable information for how to stay safe.

With nearly three dozen emergency call boxes stationed near residence halls, off-campus housing, academic buildings, parking lots and garages, students are never far from help and a direct connection with public safety officers. Personal safety escorts are also available on campus from dusk to dawn and to and from other University properties near campus. For more information, visit SHU’s public safety department.

Residential Life: Offering a Home Away from Home

Student safety is top priority. The University’s residence halls and apartment buildings remain locked 24 hours a day, with access restricted to those with valid ID. Regular training sessions keep students aware of housing security measures, and safety and security officers conduct regular safety and security checks of residences.

Students can also turn to their residence hall director and resident success assistants with concerns or issues. (You can find the full list of freshman residence hall staff members on SHU’s residence hall webpage.) These staff members can help students with their everyday needs and respond to emergencies seven days a week. Questions? Reach out to residential life for the answers.

Health Services: Providing Medical Support

World-class health care services—providing routine checkups to acute care—are steps away from campus. Through the student health center, which is operated by Yale New Haven Health, students can obtain accessible, high-quality and cost-effective health care by scheduling a visit online or by phone. With 24/7 telehealth services, as well as nearby walk-in and urgent care facilities, students are never far from expert and family focused care from health professionals, day or night.

Academic Supports: Helping Students Succeed

The transition to college life can be challenging, particularly when it comes to academics. Through student advising & success, new students can find help about how to pick their major, join study groups, obtain accessibility assistance, benefit from peer mentoring, sign up for tutoring services and talk with advisers about classes and career tracks. You can find out more about academic support by reading these FAQs. Encourage your student to start this process early, so they don’t feel overwhelmed during those first few weeks of school.

All first-year students participate in SHU’s First-Year Experience, a 10-week, first-semester course that provides opportunities to get involved, connect with classmates and establish a support network.

Counseling Services: Supporting Emotional Wellness

While not every first-year student’s experience is the same as another’s, those new to college may experience similar highs and lows that can be better understood and addressed through counseling. SHU’s Counseling Center provides comprehensive short-term, goal-directed counseling services in a confidential environment for full-time undergraduate students. Licensed mental health professionals, along with s.w.e.e.t Peer Educators, also offer mental wellness outreach services, such as workshops, talks and support, to faculty, staff and families. Here’s a comprehensive guide for parents about the college experience and student wellness.

Involvement: Encouraging Campus Engagement

Getting involved in campus life is key to building community and reducing homesickness. As soon as your student settles in, they can begin to explore many clubs and student organizations at Sacred Heart, as well as the University’s fraternity & sorority life. These provide students with cultural, academic, recreational, professional and service-oriented opportunities that align with their passions and interests—or help them to expand their horizons. During the first week of each semester, the Just SHU It Fair offers undergraduates a chance to learn more about Sacred Heart’s student-run clubs and organizations. Plus, there’s SHU’s successful First 50 Days event series that includes campus-wide programs aimed to help students acclimate to campus.

Transportation: Getting Around Easily

Although first-year residential students are not permitted to have cars on campus, there are plenty of ways students stay on the move during the school year. The campus shuttle runs like a city bus route, with multiple shuttles traveling back and forth from Park Avenue Campus to West Campus, as well as nearby academic, residential, commercial and transit locations. Students have access to shopping areas, downtown Fairfield and the Bridgeport Transit Station. Students can get an app or visit the SHU website to keep track of all the routes.

Where to Stay: Accommodating Visiting Families

Planning a visit? Whether it’s for one day or an extended weekend, there are various accommodations for visiting families throughout Fairfield and surrounding communities, as well as places to eat. Think ahead for big weekends, such as Family Weekend and commencement, and book early. If you’re planning a surprise visit, double-check with your student; they’re likely busier than you think!

Stay Connected

College can be a major transition for students and their parents. Stay in touch, encourage independence and be a steady presence as your student learns to navigate this new world (and you do, too!). Remind them that it’s okay to ask for help—and that there’s an entire campus community ready to support them.

There are many ways to stay in touch, including Parent and Family Hub, an online platform that keeps families informed and engaged in their student’s college experience. You can also follow us on social, including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. And visit our webpage for parents to find even more information about life at SHU.