Frankly, Hawthorne is not optimistic about what may happen when she returns home for the Christmas break after experiencing a new freedom at college. Thousands of parents across the country will be in the same predictment as Hawthorne's when their children come home for the lengthy stay between semesters. For freshmen, this may be the first extended period back home since they left for college in August. College officials know the pitfalls that lie ahead better than either the students or their parents. For many students and parents, the freedom of no curfew at college may be the biggest stumbling block.
Some old habits are hard to break, both for the student and parents.
Hawthorne's mother, like most, always waited up for her to come home before she could go to sleep. Most universities offer a session during summer orientation to help parents prepare for the changes their child will make. Hardin-Simmons University holds a similar session for parents, and Dean Linda Carleton said she believes such seminars are extremely beneficial to parents. The Hardin-Simmons seminar includes parents who have already been through the rigors of having a child come home for the first time, and their input is invaluable. McMurry's dean, Jackson, recalled that one year a student phoned, wanting to move back into the dorm before the Christmas break was over.