The irony is that students often don't step up to the task of being responsible until parents step back. After all, it's easier to ignore problems when someone else is worrying about it for them Taking a step back as a parent is uncomfortable, and at times frightening, because there is no guarantee that students will assume responsibility nor that they will make the same decision as you would. The fear that the student is not accepting responsibility in the interim makes most parents lose a lot of sleep. College is different than I thought it would be. For many students, leaving home means finding out what both college and life is all about.
Academic expectations are more rigorous than in high school.
They also have to figure out when they should be studying and how to motivate themselves to do so. They must also learn when to ask for help and when to resolve issues on their own. Coming face to face with new challenges is common in college. Finding support in dealing with these challenges is equally important. In their quest for independence, students sometimes assume that being an adult means that it isn't necessary to ask questions or seek help.