When Parents Visit
Written by Megan Polston
It’s clear that something is different on campus this week. The halls are filled with excited chatter, the rooms feel slightly more crowded, and a heightened sense of urgency fills the air. The flowers seem brighter, and the fallen autumn leaves are cleared off the freshly mown grass. Students don pressed pants and sport sharp new haircuts. Hillsdale College is putting its best foot forward as it prepares to welcome parents for the Fall of 2014 Parents Weekend.
Reactions to Parents Weekend among students vary: some rush to greet Mom and Dad with a generous hug while others scramble frantically about, trying to clean up their unkempt bed and mountain of dirty dishes before Mom has a chance to see them. Either way, their weekend will probably be filled with good food, multiple Walmart trips, and, of course, exchanges of family updates and new college experiences.
Parents Weekend at Hillsdale College also offers several unique opportunities for parents, including campus tours, parents’ brunches, concerts, football games, and much more. These events help give parents a glimpse into the daily life of a student.
Perhaps the most unique event offered during Parents Weekend is the parent-professor meetings. Conversations can range from a down-to-business discussion concerning a student’s participation in class to a light-hearted banter on the student’s choice of wardrobe. Overall, it gives parents and professors the chance to meet one another and chat. Professors will often give helpful tips for greater success and answer questions regarding curriculum, grading policy, or the overall welfare of the student.
“I think it’s one of those things that really sets Hillsdale apart,” said Hana Bernhardson, ’17. “The fact that my professors know me well enough to have a meeting with my parents is something you don’t find often. Even more than that, it’s nice that my parents get a chance to see what my life looks like here.”
Parents Weekend is a chance for students to see where all their hard work has gone, celebrate their successes, and make improvements where necessary. So when their parents pack up their luggage and head back home, students can prepare to tackle the final half of the semester with refreshed minds and a rejuvenated work ethic.
Megan Polston is a junior English major from Tucson, Arizona, and a member of the Pi Beta Phi women’s fraternity. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in publishing youth fiction.