1. Communicate

Chances are, they raised us for 18 years or longer, and truth is they want to know how we, “their babies” are doing. It is easy to get stressed with classes for various reasons: not knowing how to manage your time, challenging material, timely deadlines etc. It is normal to feel like all the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders but, trust me, it will get easier if you just call home. If they call you? Pick. Up. Your. Phone. They bought us our first phone. Yes, I’m talking about the Razr, Sidekick, or even the Juke, but, times have evolved and we all have cell phones, so now it’s time to use them. I’m not saying tell them every time you sneeze, are out late, or get written up by your RA, however, by speaking to family members every now and then it creates a better bond. It’s better to say something rather than to say nothing.

2. Tell Them About Family Weekend

Whether you attend college twenty minutes from home, or are a plane ride away, inform your family about Family Weekend. It will get rid of that homesick feeling you may have at the pit of your stomach. Listen to your Dad when he says to call your Mom, his advice “Happy wife, happy life!” hasn’t failed yet. Family weekend usually takes place a little more than a month into the semester, and if you are a normal college student you will be be sick of your dining hall selection by now. That family visit can also include some home cooking if you play your cards right. It’s about that time, so mark your calendar, gather all the details, and of course, clean your dorm!

3. Send Them Mail

Yes, email is cool. However, some parents are old school and apparently, so is communicating via postal mail. Allow them to reach into their mailbox and find a postcard or a handwritten letter. It’d be nice to receive something in the mail that isn’t just a tuition bill. Remember people, “it’s the little things."

4. Take Pictures

A picture is worth a thousand words. Whether you are going home on a random weekend or just for the holidays, parents love pictures. Taking photos in college captures memories that family members were not a part of making. Having visual evidence allows family to view the opportunities they gave you: meeting new people and forming lifelong bonds. Warning: be smart when posting pictures. Leave any pictures you wouldn’t want your grandparents seeing undeveloped and off of the internet. Furthermore, if you have ever viewed “I’m Shmacked,” we can unanimously agree that perhaps not everything is worth capturing.

5. Do Well in School

This one is self-explanatory. You are in college. This isn’t high school where if you cut physical education to get pizza the worst that can happen is a phone call home and extra laps around the track. College grades actually count. The reason you pay thousands of dollars to attend prestigious institutions, large universities, or local community colleges is to obtain a degree that will gain us a salary in the real world. The term “big boy job" is actually real. The workforce is extremely competitive nowadays, and having a high GPA, well-rounded experience, and a strong resume is critical. Your parents don’t want you to miss out on opportunities because you were too tired to get out of bed and missed your 8 a.m. midterm. Try your hardest, college is four years of your life which effects your entire future.

6. Go Home

After all, the reason your family agreed to send you off was to further your future, not to cause a bond to fall apart. If the distance isn’t too far between school and home it is okay to go home on the occasional weekend. Parents understand that most of your time will be spent on campus during semester (and I'm sure they would love to have you sitting at the dinner table once again.) Take it from a full time procrastinator, I know it is hard to focus, especially in a noisy household. However, by managing your time efficiently it surely is possible to add a trip home on your list of things to-do.

7. Teach Them a Thing or Two

They have taught you many lessons your entire life, now it can be your time to do the teaching. College tuition cost thousands of dollars, by using information you mastered in a real life scenario could be impressive to family members. Whether it be setting up a new web design for Dad’s business, showing mom a formula to calculate her weekly costs more efficiently or even teaching a sibling how to video chat, sharing newly acquired knowledge goes a lot further then you may think.

8. Show Them You’ve Matured

You aren’t the same kid that left them excited (or apprehensive) at the end of August. College changes all of us, and it's bound to happen. Prove to your parents that you have mastered time management. You no longer need them to be your alarm clock or to remind you of tasks all day long. On average, students take 15 credits per semester, and are involved in at least one campus activity, club or hobby. We now know how to balance socializing and class work. Being financially secure is also a good thing to show your family. Responsibly managing your own finances could even cause parents to throw some extra cash your way. Every parent wants to represent their child, what better way to do so than with a sweatshirt? Collegiate apparel makes great gifts, so take advantage of sales and coupons offered at your campus store. Remember, you are now an adult. If you are qualified at your age to be sent to war and die for your country, you are qualified to do your own laundry. (Yes, put everything on cold cycle.)

9. Enjoy Your Breaks

Thanksgiving, winter, spring, and let's not forget about summer. College gives you tons of time off. You will find that many people will be excited you're home but remember, it's not all about you and your social life. Breaks give us the opportunities to spend time with friends from home but also, your family. Make time for your family. Whether it be apple picking, skiing, a beach trip or just making cookies and watching television, showing you care makes a difference.

10. Spend as Much Time with Them as You Can

No one ever wants to admit this, but friends come and go, and family is forever. They are the people that have given up afternoons year after year to take you to your extracurricular activities, appointments, or friends' houses. They are the people that bought you expensive birthday gifts and threw you parties because you wanted to celebrate so badly. They taught you how to dress to the T to all the Sweet 16s and Bar Mitzvah’s you attended... even if there was a new one every other weekend. Truth be told, family members are the people who picked you up when you were down because they know you can achieve anything you put your mind to. You won’t always live at home with your parents, appreciate them for as long as they are around.