Here are my favorite questions/prompts you can use in ChatGPT to reduce your anxiety, support your college student, get updated career insights, and avoid micromanaging. As a college mental health expert, it’s a bit scary how evidence-based and accurate ChatGPT’s responses are to prompts like these. While it’s no replacement for ongoing help from a real life professional, sometimes parents need a quick decompression and validation which is what I think this list provides succinctly.
- “How do I tell the difference between normal college struggles and something that needs professional intervention?”
- “What strategies can I use to support my child without taking over or micromanaging?”
- “How has the career landscape changed since I was in college, and what advice is outdated?”
- “What are the most effective ways to help my student manage stress and anxiety without adding my own anxiety to theirs?”
- “When my child comes to me with a problem, how do I know if I should listen, coach, or step back?”
- “What life skills—outside of academics—should I encourage my student to build for long-term success?”
- “How can I adjust my expectations so I’m not holding my student to an unrealistic standard?”
- “What are healthier conversation starters I can use instead of asking about grades or job prospects?”
- “How can I talk about money, career paths, and future planning without overwhelming my student?”
- “What signs tell me my student is building resilience versus just avoiding responsibility?”
What are questions/prompts you’ve found helpful? I’d love to hear them for a follow-up post on this topic.