Out to Sea: A Parents' Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage

by Kelly Radi, Angela Wiechmann (Editor)

Updated in 2023.

GOLD AWARD WINNER at the Midwest Book Awards in Family & Parenting

All aboard, parents!

It's time to see your child off on the voyage of a the first year of college. The college transition is filled with mixed emotions and is a time of tremendous change for both students and parents. As move-in day approaches, important questions lurk beneath the

What can I do now to help equip my student for success?
What skills and tools should I teach my child to help them prepare to launch?
How will I survive back on shore when I send my student out to sea?

Here is your survival guide! Out to A Parents' Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage will help you navigate the emotional and practical aspects of the freshman year. This easy-to-read, informative guidebook is swimming with helpful tips, organized checklists, and real-world advice from parents and experts alike.

Out to Sea will keep your sanity afloat and ensure smoother sailing for you and your student as you embark on this grand voyage. Anchors aweigh!

You'll learn all

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2016

Reviews

[Amy Lyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a realistic and helpful resource for parents. I would definitely recommend to others who have kids who are setting sail.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Out to Sea" is a well-written book of positive parenting, a guide to helping our young adults become independent, and parents' help with "letting go". As a parent of 2 college-age boys, this guide helped affirm the decisions we have made as parents. There were many moments I chuckled in agreement to myself when I read examples given by the author. This is a must read for any parent of soon-to-be graduating children.

[Chelsea Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for book recommendations to give to families of college students. Great for the emotional parent who is nervous and wants a “checklist” model of transition for their student!

[Melissa W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for advice on how to survive empty nest syndrome. This was more of a guide for parents looking for advice on how to parent a college freshman. I agree with another reviewer that there is a lot of filler. But there are a couple of gems for parents who have never been to college or need a reminder for how much things have changed (and stayed the same!) since they attended.

[Kim LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for anyone who has a child heading off to college! I guarantee you will love the way it reads! Funny and tender and captures all the feelings a parent is going through. I cried and laughed and was thoroughly enthralled with this book! 5 stars for sure!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book will give you a few nuggets to grab on to. The author is authentic and warm, but there is nothing here that you won’t find in a 20-min blog read.

[Candace Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable lessons and topics for family members of an incoming freshmen student to consider. The perspective is kind of white middle class family anticipating a residential student (as opposed to a commuter student) so not the most diverse experience possible but still valid and relatable for the most part!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a relevant book for kids heading to college this year! It might be obsolete by the time my kiddo leaves home in 2024, but I loved it!!

[Heather Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone launching a kid to college. Read it senior year or the summer right before! I knew a lot of it, but it was nice to be reaffirmed that we are fledgling our son well!

[Rebecca Kurowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading “Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage” when my twins were freshmen in high school, more to be a support to some of my friends with seniors as they experienced some anxiety about launching their oldest children off to college than for myself, since I still have several years ahead with the kids at home. I was surprised and delighted to read some insights that are relevant to me right now, which are helpful in being mindful of how I'm parenting during these next three years we have together. Engaging and easy to follow, practical and heartwarming, this truly is a survival guide. My favorite part brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on one of the best parts of my own freshman year at an out-of-state college: care packages. The appendix is full of awesome ideas for sending some clever and tangible love.

My old tradition was to give this book as a gift to parents at their child's grad party. Now, I'm giving it as they enroll their firstborn into high school instead. What a great accompaniment during this important part of our journeys!

[Susan Boenish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical Advice on the Freshman Journey!

An excellent book for any parent who is sending a child off to college, or has a child in college. Kelly gives honest and very practical advice on what to expect, and how to navigate the crucial year(s) of college. I read Kelly’s book when my youngest was heading off for her Freshman year, and wished I had had this knowledge when my older two started their journey!

[Candice M · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book, I was struck by how much practical, reality based information is packed in here! This is a great book to have handy during the last year or two of your child’s high school years.
I especially liked the conversation starters about money matters, roommates and expectations.
This book has great practical tools to help send your child off to college and to help you successfully let them go!

[Bridget Hamak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a school counselor I work with many parents who have questions about helping their students plan for college. This book gives great insights about how to prepare yourself as a parent and what you need to talk with your child about before they leave. It's an easy read with practical information and good reminders. Highly recommend for parents with the first one leaving home.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a wonderful read as you prepare to send a child to college from the emotions that you will feel as you are ready to empower them to sail away and what to expect while they are at college. She covers topics such as what to expect during orientation, financial highlights and how you can become a mentor to your child as they navigate the waters. Great read that I would recommend!

[Amber Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for any parent whose child is considering going to college. It is very informative on what to expect during any part of the college process from prior to move in to your child’s first year and their challenges. I love the advice for parents to help the student get through their college years. The humor through out the book makes it a fun read!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that book What to Expect When You’re Expecting? This is essentially the same guide for parents who are sending their child off to college, trade school etc. Preparing our children to move out is already a significant chapter in our kids lives. This book is full of valuable information that we don’t think of or overlook.

[Katie Manar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness a must read for ANY parent with a High School student or even a college age kid. So much good information. My son is about to graduate and wish I has this 3 years ago for preparation. A must must have survival guide!

[Susan Fellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great as I was launching my daughter. She was heading to Colorado School of Mines. We live in OH and it was full of great tips. I am reading it again as my son is finishing his sophomore year in college and we are about to launch again. Worth your time to read this gem!

[Sue Holzem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to help your child launch the next chapter in their life, preparing to go to college. Very helpful read to help answer your questions on how to best support and prepare your student to launch.

[Ashley Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly helpful guide for parents preparing to send their child off into world. Read this before your child leaves the nest and be sure they are ready for whatever comes their way. Well written with oodles of practical and helpful advice! A must read!

[Nikki Heyd]

This was a great book in helping parents sort out the transition to college. Even when kids don't take the 4-year school route there are still some very good reminders and tips in there in dealing with the actual "launch" and it's also a great re-read if you have to "re-launch" a kid!

[Unreliable Narration · Rating 3 out of 5]

A resource for the obsessive, clueless, or nervous parent. Most of this transition is common sense, but for those who don't know where to start, see chapter five for a checklist of packing essentials.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Really helped me prepare for sending my first born off to college. Funny and insightful with lots of tearful moments throughout the book.

[Mary Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every parent or grandparent who thinks they are "ready" to launch that graduate. What you will find inside will make you laugh, cry, and see yourself as it really may be!

[Jodi Heckert Elness]

As someone who works at a college I know that parents have a lot of questions about launching their kids!! Out to Sea provides great, practical advice to get them through this new adventure!

[Jody French · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable and engaging read! I enjoyed the practical and emotional support needed as you prepare for your child to plan and leave for college.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out to Sea was such a great book! It helped my daughter and me start thinking about what challenges would come with her first year of college. It was an inspirational book that I could share with my daughter that had amazing good advice adding personal experiences with a bit of humor. This book was very informative and well written. A must read!