How can I support my young person with independent living and wellbeing?

Moving away from home is one of the biggest steps your young person will take. Helping them master everyday tasks builds their confidence early on. Showing them where to turn for support will also give them a solid foundation to live independently and thrive.

There's a wide safety net in place at Coventry University. Whether it's dedicated Success Coaches, student Resident Assistants living in their hall, personal tutors or professional wellbeing advisors, help is always close by when they need it.

What practical life skills and flat etiquette should we discuss?

Practising basic domestic skills together before they begin university helps prevent early stress.

• Cook simple meals: Practise three or four easy, budget-friendly recipes together so they feel confident preparing healthy dinners in a shared kitchen.
• Master laundry basics: Show them how to run a washing machine and choose correct detergent amounts. Remind them that drying wet clothes on bedroom radiators in halls isn't allowed, as it can cause dampness and mould.
• Discuss shared flat etiquette: Talk about setting up a cleaning rota with flatmates. Shared kitchens are inspected regularly, and keeping communal spaces clean avoids split-fee charges across the flat.
• Understand hall agreements: Remind them that all residents sign a Community Living Agreement committing to respect noise levels, shared facilities and flatmates.

How can we manage the emotional transition to university?

Supporting a student with their emotions often means stepping back into a guiding role.

• Calm their nerves: Remind them that feeling homesick, overwhelmed or lonely in the first few weeks is completely normal and usually passes.
• Listen first: When they call with a problem, listen actively and ask how they plan to approach it rather than rushing to fix it for them.
• Set communication routines: Agree on realistic ways to stay in touch, such as a scheduled weekly catch-up, to give them space to adapt.

What on-campus support and wellbeing networks are available for my young person?

Familiarise yourself with the pastoral and community support networks available across campus.

• Dedicated Success Coach: From enrolment through to graduation, your young person is assigned a named Success Coach. Their coach provides 1:1 guidance to help them manage study workloads, build life skills and resilience, connect with peer mentors and access specialist campus services like career advice or mental health support.
• Accommodation help: Current student Resident Assistants live in halls of residence to organise welcome events, offer peer support and help flatmates integrate.
• Health and wellbeing: Encourage your young person to register online with a local GP practice near campus as soon as they arrive so they can access local medical care and confidential health and wellbeing services.
• Your Students' Union: Offers independent advice services, academic representation and student-run sports clubs and societies.
• Personal safety and security: For detailed guidance on campus security, night-out safety and setting up emergency contacts, read our guide on keeping your young person safe at university.