Parents’ Weekend is a yearly event for the parents of college students at schools across the United States. The colleges and universities invite parents to their campuses to sit in on classes, participate in student activities and clubs, and more. Every school that offers Parents’ Weekend does it a little differently, so here’s what you need to know about this special weekend!
Flickr user Elmira College
What is Parents’ Weekend?
Parents’ Weekend, also known as Parent Weekend or Family Weekend, is an annual event at select colleges and universities. These events give parents and guardians a way to experience their student’s classes, campus life, the college town, sporting events, and so much more. It’s a great way to get a window into the day-to-day life of their child.
What you can expect from these Weekends can really depend on the school! Some go all out and parents really feel like they’re part of the student body for that short period of time.
It’s important to note that some colleges restrict attendees to the parents of first-year students, while others may accept parents of all years.
When is Parents’ Weekend?
These events can last anywhere from 2-5 days, depending on the school, and tend to be more commonplace during the fall semester. For example, Florida College’s Parent Weekend was held on September 27th – 29th in 2023. University of Florida’s 2023 Fall Family Weekend is happening on November 2nd – 5th.
Parents interested in attending the Weekend should check with the college for exact dates and schedules.
What Events Are Included?
The events and activities parents can participate in do vary from school to school, but generally, parents are invited to eat on campus, attend student classes on select days, attend get-togethers with school administrators, and participate in other student activities.
Optional special events for the parents and sometimes the students can include:
- Sporting events
- Galas, mixers, and dances
- Scavenger hunts
- Yoga
- Coffee hour
- Unique class opportunities such as cooking and crafting
- Comedy shows
Tips for Attending Parents’ Weekend
To make sure Parents’ Weekend is a success, be sure to follow these tips and tricks!
1. Sign Up Early
Spots can be extremely limited for these types of events, and it’s important that parents sign up as soon as possible. Capacity will vary from school to school. There may be other optional events during Parents’ Weekend, such as a comedy show, sporting event, or gala that requires a separate ticket, too.
2. Book A Hotel
Just like the Weekend spot availability, hotel rooms can and will book up, especially for those schools in smaller towns. As soon as you sign up for the event, you should look into booking a hotel room as well.
3. Bring Your Child a Care Package
Bringing your child a care package from home can be a great way to start the weekend off with some smiles! Pack some of their favorite things or snacks, and be sure to include any items they may have forgotten at home. Bringing it with you to this event can save you some money on postage, too.
4. Plan Around the Schedule
Be sure to look at the Parents’ Weekend schedule early so you can plan ahead. You’ll want to think about what optional events you’d like to attend, securing a spot to those events, which of your students’ classes you’ll attend, and where you’ll eat meals. Parents should note when and where check-in is every day of the Weekend. In addition, parents should set some time aside to spend with their kid.
Should Parents Go?
Before making the decision to go to Parents’ Weekend, be sure to talk to your student about it. Some students are experiencing the freedom college brings for the first time and may not be entirely open to the idea of their parents being there.
Of course, there are other considerations as well such as the cost to attend (if there is one), hotel expenses, job responsibilities, family responsibilities, and travel costs that could bar a parent or family from visiting over that particular weekend.
If you do decide to go, you and your student should discuss the options for attending classes, the Weekend schedule, the student’s schedule, and other expectations during the event so everyone is on the same page!
Parents Weekend is a fantastic way for parents and students to bond over a college, and for the parents to see what a day in the life of their child looks like now! Parents can get into the spirit of the college, attend sporting events, sit in on classes, and so much more. Before you sign up though, be sure to talk to your student about the event and plan ahead so you have a successful weekend!
Parents: Is another child of yours thinking about attending their sibling’s college? Some Parents’ Weekends invite the whole family, but College Raptor can help make sure it’s the right school for both of your children! By signing them up for College Match, you and your future college student can get insight into applications, campus life, and more. Start here for free.
