NBCNews.com
8.5.15 | Amy DiLuna

Dropping your teen off for the first year of college can be the most stressful, emotional and illuminating experience of your life. Whether you're the type to circle the campus to catch a glimpse of your freshman or rip off the Band-Aid and drive away ASAP, take advice from these been-there, done-that parents (and get more tips at NBCNews.com's Freshman Year Experience). You'll get through this! And Thanksgiving will be here in no time.

The first year isn't forever.

"There are so many conflicting messages that you get as a parent about communication. I read books and articles where they told me not to call or text or Skype all the time. I was told to not let her come home if she is homesick. To be honest, I was really surprised when she was homesick. I thought she would love everything about college. I was wrong.

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