Your relationship with your parents will never be quite the same as it was before you began college. On the one hand, you might find it uncomfortable when your parents try to make decisions on your behalf, such as choosing your major, determining where and how much you work, and setting rules for what you do on weekends. On the other hand, you might find that it hard to make decisions on your own without talking to your parents first. While communication with your parents is important, don’t let them make all your decisions. Your college can help you draw the line between what decisions should be yours alone and what decisions your parents should help you make.

If you come from a cultural background that values family relationships and responsibilities above everything else, you will have to find a way to balance your home life and college. In some cultures, if your grandmother or aunt needs help, that might be considered just as important—or more important—than going to class or taking an exam. Some instructors might help you if you have occasional problems with meeting a deadline because of family obligations, but you cannot expect that they will. It’s important that you explain your situation; your instructors cannot guess what you need. As the demands on your time increase, it is important that you talk with family members to help them understand your role and responsibilities as a student and ask for their help and support.

Not every family is ideal. If your family is not supportive, find other people who can help you create the family you need. Seek help from your campus’s counseling center if you find yourself in the middle of a difficult family situation.