ST. CLOUD -- Starting a new chapter in life and embarking on an adventure full of changes, going off to college can be challenging.

Your young adult will have many struggles during their first year away from home at that big university but parents, you'll be in need of some guidance as well. This is where Big Brothers Big Sisters steps in. The organization is hosting a transition to college workshop designed for both students and parents.

Kelly Radi is a volunteer with BBBS and also the author of "Out to Sea: A Parents Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage." Radi will be one of the featured speakers at the event. She says they'll be talking about how to encourage students to take control and guide parents on how to let go.

"We're going to be talking about how students can be their own advocate, because that is a part of adulting and a part of this transition, during this time parents generally learn how to step back and empower their students to step up."

Some of the key topics that will be discussed include binge drinking, campus safety, academic counseling, financial aid and scholarship requirements. Radi says part of the workshop will include current college students talking about their experiences.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters has done a great job with bringing people in from public safety from counseling services, financial aid services, disability services as well as current college students, which is where I think students get their most useful information."

The workshop will be at St. Cloud Technical and Community, Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

If you would like to attend the meeting, your asked to RSVP Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Director Ann Matvik, 320-258-4517, by Wednesday.

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