98% of Parents Fear Sending Their Child to Uni, New Survey Finds

Did you know that 98% of parents have concerns about their child attending university? So, if you’re feeling negative about the experience, know that you’re not alone. Watching your child leave the nest for university can be bittersweet. On one hand, it’s a huge milestone, filling you with immense pride in your child’s success. On the other hand, it can bring a wave of anxiety watching them live alone for the very first time. Will they be able to manage their finances? Will they make the right choices? Will they be able to cope with academic pressures and the demands of independent living?

To better understand the concerns of parents with university-bound students, Now Students commissioned an exclusive survey, offering an insightful glimpse into the biggest fears that 1,000 parents have. After consulting with industry experts for added reassurance and actionable advice, we’ve compiled this data to aid you in navigating what should be an exciting transition with confidence.

The Biggest Parental Concerns: What the Data Says

Our survey found that parents’ top fears centre around seven key areas:

1. Financial Pressures – 47% of parents worry about their child’s ability to manage money, covering tuition fees, rent, and living costs.
2. Safety and Well-being – 40% fear for their child’s physical safety and mental well-being while at university.
3. Academic Performance – 31% are anxious about their child struggling with coursework and exams.
4. Accommodation Options – 29% express concerns about their child’s accommodation. 
5. Social Adjustments – 28% of parents admit worrying about whether their child will make friends with the right people.
6. Lack of Supervision – 21% are frightened that their child will make poor decisions, especially when it comes to peer pressure.
7. Transportation – 17% worry about the transportation options around their child’s new city.

These fears are understandable, but with the right preparation and support, parents can help their children navigate university life successfully. 

Survey Results

Q1: What, if any, are your biggest concerns about your child going to university? (Select up to 3) 

The survey included responses from parents across diverse fields. The top 3 biggest fears included financial strain, safety & well-being, and academic performance.

Q2: How confident are you, if at all, in your child’s ability to keep their student accommodation tidy and organised?

The majority of parents felt confident to some degree that their child is capable of maintaining hygienic practices once they move out.

Q3: Do you worry about your child’s social life at university? (Select all that apply)

74% of parents worry about their child’s social life at university, whether that’s because of friendships, connecting with their flatmates or getting involved in unhealthy social situations.

Q4: How worried, if at all, are you about your child’s mental health while at university?

The majority of parents are concerned about their child’s mental health.

Q5: How do you feel about your child living away from home? (Select all that apply)

Parents admitted that they experience a mixture of emotions when their child leaves home, and it’s totally normal. You can worry about it whilst still being excited for them.

Q6: How, if at all, do you plan to stay involved with your child’s university experience?

Having regular calls and helping out financially were the most popular answers, closely followed by offering advice and giving them space to have their first go at living independently.

Q7: Do you feel prepared to support your child through potential academic challenges, like exams or coursework? (Select all that apply)

66% of parents agree that they are well-prepared to offer guidance and support, while 9% believe that their children should handle any obstacles independently.

Q8: What, if anything, concerns you the most about your child’s financial situation at university?

Unsurprisingly, the majority of parents chose the accumulation of student debt as their biggest financial concern, but only 9% are concerned about their child’s lack of financial literacy.

Q9: How concerned, if at all, are you about your child experimenting with substances (e.g., alcohol or drugs) at university?

67% of parents admitted to being either very concerned or somewhat concerned about substance use whilst they live at university.

Q10: How much, if at all, do you worry about your child’s living conditions at university (e.g., dorms, off-campus living)?

The students’ living conditions are one of the biggest concerns for parents, with 70% of respondents agreeing that this causes them some form of anxiety.

Financial Pressures: Helping Students Manage Their Money

University is often the first time young adults take full responsibility for their finances. Budgeting, rent payments, and daily expenses can be overwhelming, but there are plenty of ways that you can support your child when it comes to managing their money:

1. Teach Budgeting Skills

Encourage your child to track their spending using budgeting apps, like Monzo, Revolut, and Emma. With plenty of resources available to help your child manage their finances effectively, you can eliminate any concerns you have regarding their financial literacy.

2. Explore Financial Support

Many universities offer scholarships, bursaries, and maintenance loans to ease financial strain. Be sure to research and claim what your child is entitled to.

3. Discuss Part-Time Jobs

While 17% of parents worry about students balancing part-time work with academic performance, it’s certainly something that should be discussed! Whether it’s a Saturday job at their local bakery or shift work in between lectures, the extra cash can come in handy for groceries, new clothes and social activities. 

4. Plan for Unexpected Costs

Creating an emergency fund for unexpected expenses is essential. If they’ve found themselves without a job or their student loan is late, meaning they can’t pay rent, bills or buy groceries (all essential components of independent living), then having an emergency fund to fall back on can help avoid unnecessary debt and alleviate financial stress. And if they don’t need it? They’ll have more money to find their feet after they graduate.

Practical Tips for Parents of University Students

Beyond addressing these fears, parents can take practical steps to make the transition smoother. Speaking on the matter, Dr Jo Turley, Programme Leader for the BSc Hons Programme at Wrexham University, offered advice for parents on how to ease the adjustment process.

1. Educate Yourself on Student Accommodation

70% of parents admitted that, to some degree, they have concerns about their child’s living conditions at university. To overcome this, Dr Jo Turley advises: “Being able to see the accommodation in person and understand how student accommodation works, in terms of private and shared areas, helps to reduce anxiety.” For example, the majority of the student accommodation options at Now Students offer private rooms and study spaces, as well as communal amenities, including games rooms and a gym. This means that your child can find a suitable study space and have a place to make new friends in their building. Guide them to explore their options, and together, you can figure out what type of student accommodation is right for your child.

2. Familiarise Yourself with the Accommodation

Once your child has decided on where they’d like to live, Dr Turley also recommends that you familiarise yourself with their student housing, stating “Strategies that parents can use include being able to visit where the student accommodation is and see for themselves where their child will be living. This can be in person or virtual.” While Dr Turley agrees that both virtual and in-person visits are equally beneficial, in her experience, she’s noticed that most parents would prefer to visit the accommodation in person. This allows you to experience the rooms and the surrounding areas, so you can put any worries to rest.

3. Trust the Process

Dr Jo Turley concluded by reassuring parents that worries will fade if they just trust the process, explaining that “once this initial anxiety has been allayed, parents will find it easier to ‘let go’ of their child, which really promotes independence.” Ultimately, university is a learning experience both academically and personally, so give them space to grow while remaining supportive.

Safety, Health and Well-Being

Watching your child move to a new city or live independently for the first time can be daunting, especially if it’s your first child to fly solo. From choosing a safe student accommodation to their overall well-being, there are plenty of reasons why a vast number of parents worry. But rest assured, here’s a list of things you can do to keep your mind at ease, knowing your child is safe and secure, wherever they are:

1. Choose A Secure Accommodation

Research is your best friend when it comes to choosing secure student housing for your child. Whether it’s the proximity of the accommodation to the university campuses and student hotspots or having an accommodation that protects its students, there are many options available. At Now Students, we offer 24/7 support and security, so we can assure you that our team will take great care of your child.

2. Teach Personal Safety Habits 

It’s no surprise that 67% of the parents that we surveyed worry about their children experimenting with substances. While these concerns are valid, be confident that the young adult that you have raised has been guided to make the right choices. Open and honest discussions can help students make informed decisions.

Staying safe on a night out at university can be a tricky conversation to have. We were all young adults once, thinking we knew what was best and complaining when our parents told us how to behave. But talking about night-out safety is still an important conversation to have. Encourage them to travel in groups, share their location with someone they trust, and never give in to peer pressure.

3. Keep Communications Open

Asking for support is difficult for anyone, let alone for young adults who are trying to prove they can be independent. So, reaching out to them first is a great way to keep both of your minds at ease. As Hub Service Director for Samaritans Colin Hill explains, “everyone has the potential to make others feel less alone”, and by checking in with your child regularly, without being overly intrusive, you can offer a familiar voice which might help ease any pressure or stress they are experiencing. 

Continuing the discussion, Colin Hill said: “At Samaritans, we witness first-hand the power that human connection and listening can have on people who are feeling overwhelmed or lost”, which are some of the emotions that young people experience as they gain their independence.

4. Promote Healthy Habits

Whether you promote exercise and good sleeping routines or inspire healthy eating and hygienic cleaning practices, these wholesome habits are beneficial for both your child’s mental and physical well-being, as well as how they sustain friendships with their flatmates. 

5. Highlight Mental Health Services

Feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or homesickness are common in students. For most, it’s their first time leaving home, so it’s completely natural. If you’re worried about your child’s mental health, remind them of the available services and support provided by their student accommodation, university, and charities such as Samaritans, which offer a listening ear free of charge to anyone at any time from any phone on 116 123, even without mobile credit.

Academic Performance

The leap from learning at college to university is a big one. From independent study, intense research and reaching the dreaded deadlines for coursework, the expectations of a university lecture hall can be challenging, especially when you haven’t got the threat of being grounded anymore. But, as a parent, there are still plenty of things you can do to inspire your child in an age-appropriate way:

1. Encourage Time Management

From physical planners to digital calendars, suggest the use of time-management tools to organise their assignment deadlines, lectures, and study sessions. Not only will this help them to excel academically, but it will also highlight any free time they have, so they can perfect the balance between their studies, social life, and personal time.

2. Promote Academic Support

As a parent, it’s understandable that you want to support your child in every way possible, but not everyone feels prepared for that. With 23% of respondents admitting that they don’t feel equipped, and a further 9% agreeing that they should handle academic challenges independently, there are still ways that you can guide your child in the right direction. For example, universities usually offer study skills workshops, tutoring services and an array of library resources, so encourage them to utilise what’s available!

3. Remind Them to Ask for Help

It’s no secret that at this age, your child probably thinks they know best, and as a result, they might be reluctant to ask for help, especially from their parents! By subtly reminding them from time to time that there’s never any shame in asking for help from lecturers, course advisors, peers and even support staff at their student accommodation, you can empower them to seek the guidance they need, without the risk of them feeling patronised. 

While the fears you may have as a parent are entirely natural, university is an exciting opportunity for students to develop independence, responsibility, and resilience. It’s a time of personal and academic growth, and with the right preparation, they can thrive. By staying informed, prepared, and supportive, you can help your child make the most of this transformative experience. 

Now you’re prepared to let your not-so-little one flee the nest, it’s time to search for a place to stay. With plenty of student housing support for parents, you can sleep soundly knowing that your child is in safe hands with us. 

Book their stay at Now Students student accommodation in their city of choice today, and let us take care of the rest.

Methodology

In collaboration with Censuswide, we conducted research which surveyed 1,000 parents living in the UK. The survey was completed by people who identify as men, women and non-binary from across the country to ensure unbiased results.

To download the full results of the survey, click here.