Resources for Parents and Families

As key supporters of your student’s success, we want to be able to provide you with resources as you assist your student through their collegiate journey at William Paterson.  On this page, you will find various resources to help you, help your student transition from high school to college and guide them as they navigate the William Paterson experience, from start to finish. 

This page will be periodically updated to ensure that the resources provided to you are relevant and timely. 

Real Talk Series

What is Real Talk Series?

A series of virtual sessions for parents and families that focus on specific topics that provides them the tools and resources to ensure their student success at William Paterson. The sessions are facilitated by the Office of Parent and Family Relations in conjunction with other offices on campus. The program provides a space where families can ask questions, get to know University personnel and the resources that they offer students. Sessions are recorded when possible and available for viewing through our WPFamilies YouTube Channel.

Register to attend any of the live sessions by clicking the dates below. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent with the Zoom details for the virtual sessions. 

2024-2025

Spring 2025

  • Wednesday, January 15th - Getting Your Student Involved in College Life (Optional Mid-Year Orientation Session for New-Incoming Families - This session is in-person)
  • Wednesday, January 29th at 6pm - Commencement Info Session (For parents and families of 2025 Commencement participants)
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5th at 6pm - Academic Cost and Consequences*
  • Wednesday, Feb. 12th at 6pm - Greek Life Info Session for Parents and Families*
  • Wednesday, Feb. 26th at 6pm - College Bound: Tools for Parents Supporting Neurodivergent Learners*
  • Thursday, March 13th at 6pm - Commencement Info Session (For parents and families of 2025 Commencement participants)*
  • Wednesday, March 19th at 6pm - Residence Life Info Session*
  • Wednesday, April 16th at 6pm - Entrepreneurship for Success with NJ Small Business Development Center at William Paterson University (In-person at 1800 Valley Road, Wayne NJ 07470 - Click Here to RSVP) 

Note: Sessions are subject to change and additional sessions may be added throughout the semester.

Fall 2024

  • Wednesday, Sept. 4th at 6pm - Getting Your Student Involved
  • Wednesday, Sept. 18th at 5:30pm - A Holistic Approach at Student Success in College from a Health and Well-Being Perspective
  • Wednesday, October 9th at 6pm - Financial Planning for Success*
  • Wednesday, October 30th at 6pm - Letting Go, Supporting Your Student's Independence*
  • Wednesday, November 20th at 6pm - Mentoring for Success*

2023-2024

  • September 20, 2023 at 6pm - Intro to Parent and Family Relations and WP Parent Panel*
  • October 11, 2023 at 6pm - Simplifying FAFSA*
  • October 26, 2023 at 6pm - Advising for Your Student’s Success*
  • November 15, 2023 at 6pm - Parent, Partner or Advocate? Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health During College*
  • January 31, 2024 at 6pm - Getting Your Student Involved 
  • February 28, 2024 at 6pm - Let's Talk Financial Literacy*
  • March 6, 2024 at 6pm - Road to Graduation: Leading Your Student to Success 
  • March 20, 2024 at 12:00pm - What is Academic Probation: How Can a Student Avoid It?*
  • March 27, 2024 at 12:30pm - Resources for Small Business Owners 
  • April 17, 2024 at 6pm - Getting Your Student Career Ready 

*Recorded Session

Click here to view our playlist and available recordings.

Checklists

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Suggested Reading 

Books 

  • College Ready: Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify the College Transition by Chelsea Petree, Ph.D (Disponible en español) 
  • The iConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up by Barbara K. Hofer, Ph.D and Abigail Sullivan Moore 
  • Don't Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years by Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller
  • Emptying the Nest: Launching Your Young Adult towards Success and Self-reliance by Brad Sachs
  • Generation Z Goes to College by Corey Seemiller and Megan Grace
  • Grown & Flown by Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington
  • Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger
  • Navigating the First College Year A Guide for Parents by Richard H. Mullendore and Cathie Hatch
  • Out to Sea: A Parents' Survival Guide for the Freshman Voyage by Kelly Radi
  • The UniversityParent Guide to Supporting Your Student's Freshman Year by UniversityParent
  • You're On Your Own (but I'm here if you need me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years by Marjorie Savage

Articles 

How To Videos

Helpful Websites and Links