Advice for College Parents
Best Advice: Keep in Touch
Remember that this generation of students is used to seeing
you every day. They are accustomed to you cheering from the
stands for sports and other events and directing their activities
and time. Many students have also had regular contact with
parents via cell phones and pagers. They will be going through
some of the same withdrawal feelings that you are. Remember
college is a great place to learn independence, but family
support is still important!
• Keep them updated on happenings from home. Send pictures and
emails to let them know the antics of the pets, the things
you are doing, what is going on with the relatives, etc.
• Encourage them to seek help from advisors, tutors, housing
staff, campus life professionals and more as they feel overwhelmed.
• Send care packages and letters. Emails are great, but there
is still a thrill that runs through a student when a package
or letter is waiting at the post office. Our Resident
Hall Association will be happy to send a balloon bouquet for you.
• Plan a trip to visit your student after a few weeks. The period
between the first week of class in the fall and Thanksgiving
is a long time. Students get homesick, and miss you. Let
them pick a good weekend for a visit from home.
• Encourage them to spend the first few weekends on campus to
get involved in the various activities going on at that time.
What does my Student Need to be Successful Living in the
Residence Halls?
Self-Care
Students should be conscientious about eating healthy, balanced
meals and getting regular exercise. It is also important
that they are aware of and are attending to their emotional
needs. If your student needs to talk with someone, the Behavioral
Clinical Services (970-241-6500) can help.
Time Management
Effective time management skills are important to your student's
success. It is important that your student has a basic
understanding of his or her parameters (i.e., class schedule,
wake-up time, sleep time, time for socialization) and ability
to set priorities.
Making Connections
One of the most important things you can encourage your student
to do when he or she arrives on campus is to make connections.
Not only should students attempt to meet a variety of people
to find out what the campus has to offer but they should
also make an effort to meet and build relationships with
at least one faculty and staff member on campus. Having
this one connection can make all the difference for your
student. The Resident Assistant can help get your student
connected to Mesa State.
Knowledge of Campus Resources
MSC can seem like a pretty big campus if you don't know your
resources. There are many specialized offices that can
be a great connection for first year students. These include
Housing & Residence Life, Cultural
Diversity Board,
Associated Student
Government, Registrar's
Office, Student
Health Center, Financial
Aid, Vice President
for Student Services and Outreach, and the College
Center. These offices
can also serve as a resource to your student if he or she
has any questions or concerns.
Academics
It is important that your student meet all his or her degree
requirements but college is also a time of exploration
and to begin testing other disciplines. By choosing a combination
of classes that allow students opportunities to interact
with and make connections with faculty and other students,
many students find a more fulfilling academic experience.
It is normal for students to be unsure about their major.
Some students may even change their minds as they develop
new interests or find out more about emerging careers and
fields of study to which they were never exposed. The Advising
and Career Center can be a great resource for students
in helping to find a major.
Being Proactive with Academics
Campus life can be pretty busy. It is important that you
encourage your student to look at the big picture now before
he or she becomes overwhelmed with their academic course
load. Advance planning is key, utilizing faculty office
hours to discuss progress, giving a professor advance notice
when they are going to be away for a weekend, or forming
study groups is just a few ways to be proactive. If your
student mentions that he or she is having trouble in a
class at the beginning of the semester, encourage him or
her to speak to the professor as soon as a problem is detected.
Waiting until the last minute or until your student is
in serious academic trouble is only going to be a recipe
for disaster.
Financial Management Skills
College may be the first time your student has ever had a
personal checking account, credit card and control over
a bank account or paychecks. It may also be the first experience
your student has ever had in paying their own bills. It
is important to discuss budgets, financial expectations
and practices and good credit with your student now before
they get in over their heads. Many credit card companies
solicit college students without requiring permission from
a parent or guardian.
MSC Resources for Parents
Advice for College Parents
Why College Housing
What to Expect
Your Student and a Roommate Conflict
College Safety
Suggested Reading
Recommended Links
Related Links
Housing Home
MSC Housing Residency Requirement
Housing Rates
Housing Contract
FAQ’s
Residence Halls and Apartments
Maverick Housing Guide
MSC Student Handbook
Policies
Resources
Student Health Services
Counseling Services
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