<p>Thank you for all of the thoughtful responses. I agree, that for the most part, if they haven’t learned by now, parting advice is not going to help. However, for kids who have not been prone to trouble, a heads up about things they may not anticipate can be helpful.</p>
<p>One item that is on my mind is suicide, because the college my kid will be attending in the fall has experienced about 4 suicides already this year. </p>
<p>I talked to her about the fact that the school is competitive, and everyone has bad days, but nothing is worth killing yourself over. I said, that she has all of the tools, and that I am confident that she be a great student. However, no matter what happens, or how badly things go, always know that Mom and Dad have your back. I said that in the unlikely even that she were to fail or flunk out, we would welcome her home with open arms, she could take a term off, and then we would help her find a school that is a better fit. I told her we are proud of her for her, and not only if you she is an outstanding student. </p>
<p>I also said that she should learn that there is no shame in trying to do something hard and failing. The shame is in being too afraid to try it. </p>