Family Matters

One of the challenges of coming to Gatton is staying connected with your family. Every student is different, with different attitudes toward how much they want to communicate with their family. For me, staying close to them was a huge priority.

I was born into a big family, having three older siblings. As I got older, that family grew, and I now have three younger siblings as well. I attribute everything about myself to my family, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

TIPS FOR STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY:

Get comfortable sharing about yourself! Whether you see your family in person or are on a phone call with them, you will get the classic, “What have you been up to?” question. Don’t shy away from it! Your family wants to hear from you!

Have the tough conversation(s) with your family. The easiest grounds for frustration come from a lack of communication on how much you want to communicate. Your parents may have their own expectations for communication that may not line up with yours.

Remember the big things…. Your family members will be so touched if you remember birthdays and anniversaries, so be sure to reach out at these times. Bonus points for grandparents.

…and ask about the small things! One of the hardest things about being away from your family is missing out on the small moments. While nothing replaces being with your family for these, make sure to ask about them, whether it be a younger sibling’s soccer game or the puzzle your dad is working on.

Set aside time for your family during closed weekends. Closed weekends are tough. Some Gatton students drive as many as 10 hours in one weekend to get home and back, while others live in Bowling Green. Either way, going home can be draining, so allow yourself a little bit of time to breathe, and then spend time with your family! The impulse is to spend time with our friends, and while that’s important, you’ll be with your family forever.

Be merciful with your younger siblings. There’s nothing like getting home after weeks of being in a new place and sleeping in your own bed for the first time only to be woken up by a five-year-old jumping on top of you. True story. Know that these moments where we find ourselves wanting to rip their heads off are moments to count to ten and smile because we have siblings that want to spend time with us.

Be active in the family group chat, and if you don’t have one, start one! Whether it’s talking about my brother’s garage band, my little sister stealing my mom’s phone to send emojis, or my dad complaining about large diet cokes no longer being $1 at McDonald’s, this group chat has been a huge source of small smiles throughout the day for me. It helps me feel connected to my family, and I know that my older siblings feel the same way.

Small phone calls! Gatton life can be busy, and sometimes it can be easier to take five minutes out of a few days each week to call your family members rather than a whole hour at once. Small phone calls can feel like passing conversations, which I love because it is almost like being back with your family. Walking to class is one of the perfect times to do this.

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