College should be a place where young people can practice becoming more independent from their families.

For most, it is the first time that they have lived away from the family home. This is a point in their lives when, no matter what their relationships with loved ones may be, they probably want to enjoy the experience of being away from their particular influence. The college experience may not accurately represent adult life, but it is an introduction to it.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of college students who have to deal with the issue of meddling relatives. Even when they are away from home, they want to have an influence over their life—or get them to do them a favor. 

Part of the journey that comes from moving away for college is learning how to set boundaries with people with whom it may be more difficult to set boundaries when you are under the same roof. It isn’t easy, but it is normally worth the effort and the peace of mind that it brings to not allow yourself to be influenced. Nobody likes to feel like they are living under the pressure of their family’s expectations and duties.