Students with parents and siblings in town and on campus relate their unique Hillsdale experience.

There are a lot of things students can bring to college to make it feel more like home: bedding, clothes, decor, food, books. Some people even bring their parents.

“Having my parents move to Hillsdale during my freshman year was definitely something I never thought would happen, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” junior Caitie Dugan said. “It’s definitely a challenge that my parents are around all the time because I want to spend time with them more than I want to do homework, but it’s always so fun when I get to go over for dinner or to watch Michigan games.”

Despite the typical desire for independence and distance from home, some Hillsdale students find themselves near their parents and families. Senior Gretchen Birzer said the adjustment between college and home life was challenging at first, but now, she appreciates being close to home to be present in her younger siblings’ lives. Birzer’s parents, Brad and Deirdre Birzer, are a history professor and a lecturer in history, respectively. 

“I like that I can have independence in college like everyone else but still have the option of seeing my family,” Birzer said. 

Sophomore Raegan Coupland’s family lives in town, and her father, Daniel Coupland, is professor and chairman of the education department. She said it was tempting to go home often as a freshman, but she has learned to balance that with life on-campus.

“Even though they are a few minutes away, they are far enough to where I can still have the college experience,” Coupland said.

Coupland said she is thankful to be able to go home if needed when she is sick and to be able to stay involved in family activities.

“I think one of my favorite parts of living close to home is being able to have Sunday brunch with my family after church,” Coupland said. “It’s a time to reset and something I can look forward to after a long or stressful week.”

Birzer said she enjoys visiting her family and the conversations they share. 

“I go home for a meal about once a week, which I think is equivalent to what most other students do when they call home,” Birzer said. “It makes more sense for me to go see them, since I can.”

Birzer said she even sometimes runs into her parents and family around Hillsdale. While most peers do not experience this surprise, Birzer said she has adjusted well. 

“I’d say my experience is different, but not necessarily in any drastic way,” Birzer said. “Having them nearby has had its challenges, just as living far away from them would.”

Dugan said she loves sharing daily occurrences with her parents and appreciates that her college memories include such depth and growth with her parents as well.

“My college experience is definitely different than most but in the best way possible,” Dugan said. “They know all my friends, which is really fun, and they’re around whenever I need to go home.”

Dugan shares the highlights of the semester and the usual qualms of the day with her parents. She recalled celebrating New Dorm’s Mock Rock victory not only with her residents but also with her parents who came to support her that night. Dugan also pops in to surprise her mom and tell a funny story from class or the dining hall. 

“My mom and I have a standing coffee date on Tuesday mornings,” Dugan said. “During the busy weeks of the semester, it’s nice to know that I have at least one time during the week that I can see my mom.”