Parental support is important to the success of students. So you may help your son or daughter achieve his or her best, we offer these tips in the following categories:
Achieving Independence | Deciding a Major | Final Exams | Career Planning
Achieving Independence
For many students, college is the first experience in managing all the details of their daily schedule, work schedule and financial matters. You can help your son or daughter learn to handle these adult responsibilities by:
- Encouraging them to participate in any application for financial aid.
- Suggesting they create a file exclusively for important college papers such as report cards, notes made during an advising appointment, payment receipts, award notifications and copies of submitted financial aid forms.
- Reinforcing the importance of writing down the name and phone number of whoever helps them. This is important when a follow-up call becomes necessary.
- Encouraging them to make their own dental, medical or other appointments. This teaches them how to make calls, negotiate dates and times, and most importantly, how to ask for help if information is unclear.
- Reinforcing that they are totally responsible for following dates and deadlines and for managing their affairs. Helping your son or daughter develop good personal management habits in the first semester will increase his or her confidence and will teach the skills necessary to be a successful adult.
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Deciding a Major
Through the process of clarifying their academic, career and other lifetime goals, students respect and appreciate when parents:
- Exhibit patience, tolerance and support when they change directions.
- Identify their strengths, limitations and potential and allow them to make final decisions.
- Communicate genuine understanding and/or agreement about the final major or program selected.
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Final Exams
Student stress usually peaks around exam time. It can seem overwhelming, especially in December, when students are trying to squeeze in holiday gatherings. You can help them through this stressful time by:
- Encouraging your son or daughter to share their exam schedule with you in advance so you know what to expect.
- Limiting or altering family expectations during the days preceding an important exam.
- Encouraging your son or daughter to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits.
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Career Planning
To assist students in career planning, parents should encourage students to:
- Take classes applicable to more than one career or life direction.
- Participate in campus and community organizations.
- Participate in community service.
- Frequently visit academic advisers and the Career Resource Center.
- Take classes to enhance communication skills.
- Seek opportunities to interact with others who are not like them.
- Study abroad or complete internships.
- Study a second language.
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