Wait Chapel is visible through an ironwork WF logo, on the campus of Wake Forest University.

Where to Start

Here is a roundup of some general advice and important information we’ve put together for parents and families of new students:


Conversations to have with your student this summer

It would be helpful this summer to have some family discussions about your student’s hopes and expectations for college. Those expectations may differ from your own.

It will be important to discuss behavioral and other expectations to ensure everyone is on the same page before school begins; see suggested topics below. Only you and your student will know what feels right for your family.

It’s also important to get clarity now on how you will interact with each other once your Deac is at school. If they call you and sound upset, you may interpret that as “I need to get involved/offer my adviceetc. whereas your Deac may just need to feel heard. One of the greatest tips is for family members in these cases is to ask their student directly “What is my role in this conversation? Am I just listening? Or am I helping to problem-solve” etc. And then do what your student needs.

Your family may have other topics that are important to you. Be sure to discuss those openly with your student before college starts. You may also want to explore tips for parents and families on our University Counseling Center website.


Review the Stop, Drop, and Roll Framework

We encourage families to review the Stop, Drop, and Roll framework to learn how best to support your students when they have issues, decisions to make, or routine tasks to complete.


Navigating Family and Student Roles

How to understand what students are responsible for vs. parents and families.


Understanding Curriculum Requirements

We have prepared a video for families that gives a high-level overview of academic requirements so you can understand the basics of your student’s academic path and what our graduation requirements are – but allow your student to take the lead on their course selection. See more about curriculum requirements as well as the advising process and planning for course registration.


Advice from Families of Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Learn from the experts who have been there, done that. Note: Use the next frame button to advance from page to page.

Current families have also offered hotel and restaurant recommendations for new families.