College Ready: Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify the College Transition

Praise for College Ready
“A book that needed to be written; the whole family needs support for a successful transition to college. Let the national experts on parent and family engagement in higher education guide your family's transition.”—Jodi Dworkin Ph.D., Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota

“The transition to college isn't just about your student. This step-by-step guide offers tips for a successful first year for the whole family.”—Marjorie Savage, author of You’re on Your Own (But I’m Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years

“This book provides families with proven tools to set expectations from a myriad of perspectives across all facets of the transition from high school to college with amazing detail.”—R. Yee, parent of three UCLA students and graduates
The first year of college is full of excitement and uncertainty for students and parents.

Updated for the 2025-26 school year!

The 2025 college experience will be different from anything a parent might have experienced themselves, or anything they have experienced with other children, as each college student’s journey is unique. Sending a student to college can change your family dynamics, your household structure, and the way you spend your time and money. And there are additional unknowns as students begin college in 2025.

Parental support of students means even more today.

College Ready provides practical guidance on what should be done during the summer, during drop-off, and the entire academic year. College Ready addresses topics that parents think most about. Chapters provide expert guidance on top-of-mind concerns including packing, money, staying connected, promoting responsible independence, and supporting academic success.

College Ready is action-oriented and includes a Glossary of commonly used college terms and Checklists so you don’t forget anything and don’t do things you shouldn’t!

And the book is full of ideas on how to start those tough, but very much needed, conversations. Not only will having these conversations assist you in your college preparations, but they will also open new lines of communication that can continue during the school year. College Ready 2025-26 is for parents, family members, caregivers, siblings, mentors, and any supporters of a soon-to-be college student.

College Ready is edited by Chelsea Petree, Ph.D., who is the Director of Parent and Family Programs at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Each contributor to College Ready is a current or former college administrator who has worked extensively with parents and families of students. They are all members of AHEPPP: Family Engagement in Higher Education, the only professional association in the world dedicated to parent/family involvement in the college experience. These contributors are experts in the field overall and in the chapters they penned.

Kesha Williams, Saint Louis University
Amy Swank, University of Oregon
Maureen Hurley, Emerson College
Mark Pontious, Ph.D., ZoomInfo
Benjamin M. Williams, Miami University
Lady Cox, Ed.D., Auburn University
Andrea Mitchen, Knack Technologies, Inc.
Elizabeth Vigil, The University of Alabama
Kristin Austin, Ed.D., Independent College Transition Coach
Christine Self, Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Stephanie Stiltner, University of Pikeville
Nicki Jenkins, University of Kentucky
Brie Jutte, University of Denver
Libby Daggers, Texas A&M University

College Ready is one of a series of Ready Guides for parents of college students published by Parent Ready. More information at https://parentready.com.