We have a hugely important role in our students’ college experience. After all, we know them—and they know us—better than anyone.

As they have all their lives, our students may naturally come to us first for help at Williams. (“I got a C on my first paper!”; “My roommate sleeps with all the lights on!”) Our own first response may be to “fix it.”

This is our moment to step up by stepping back. It’s important to let our children navigate their own, sometimes delightfully unpredictable, paths through college. Here are ways to help them make the most of their Williams experience...