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.

Registration to attend any of the live sessions will open by July 28th and will be done via the family portal. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent with the Zoom details for the virtual sessions. 

2025-2026

Fall 2025

  • Wednesday, September 10th at 6pm- Intro to Will.Power.101 (For parents and families of Fall 2025 First-Year Students)
  • Wednesday, October 15th at 6pm - Commencement Info Session (For parents and families of 2026 Commencement participants)
  • Wednesday, November 5th at 6pm - College Bound: Tools for Parents Supporting Neurodivergent Learners 
  • Wednesday, November 12th at 6pm - Getting Your Student Career Ready

Spring 2026

  • Wednesday, January 28th at 6pm- The Academic-Financial Connection: What Every Family Should Know
  • Wednesday, February 25th at 6pm - Commencement Info Session (For parents and families of 2026 Commencement participants)

Note: Sessions are subject to change. Additional sessions to be added throughout the semester.

    *Recorded Session

    Click here to view our playlist and available recordings.

    Checklists

    New Family Checklist 2025-2026.png

    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