Information for Parents regarding First-Year Experience Initiative

As a parent who will be sending your student off to his or her first year of college, you’re probably wondering what sort of resources and opportunities SWU provides for helping your child make the transition from high school to college and beyond. We have launched a First-Year Experience (FYE) initiative to help students with this transition.  From a special Freshman Seminar course to peer leaders who help new students adapt to their campus community, we have put programming and people in place to help your student succeed in their first year.

How can you as a parent partner with the university in helping your new college student transition with success? It’s hard to find the balance between letting go while providing support and accountability. Sometimes just asking the right questions can help. You’ll find a “top 10” list of questions you can weave into conversations with your student from time to time. You don’t need to ask all 10 questions all the time but you may find them helpful as you try to provide support and encouragement in specific ways.

The Top Ten Questions You Should Be Asking Your Student:

1.  Are you going to class?

Skipping class is the #1 reason why students fail.

2.  Are you making academics your #1 priority?

College is a full-time job.  Your student should be studying at least 25-30 hours per week.  It is recommended that students should study 2-3 hours per week for every credit hour they take.

3.  Are you reviewing the material from each class weekly?

Regular review makes exam prep much easier.

4.  Are you scheduling your “goof-off” time?

Everyone needs down time but students need to learn to manage their “goof-off” time.

5.  Do you know when the official day is to drop a class?

After this date students cannot withdraw from a class.

6.  Are you starting your assignments early?

The unexpected happens…sickness, computers die, printers breaks, etc.

7.  Have you seen your advisor & gone to your professor’s office hours?

Students need to meet with an advisor (usually in October) to plan for next semester.  Professors like to help students – it’s their job. Office hours are a great resource.

8.  Have you visited the Center of Transformational Learning for tutoring or formed a study group?

Studying complex material is more efficient with a study group or with help from a tutor.

9.  Are you sleeping?

Only 11 percent of college students have good sleep quality.  Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system & can lead to mental health issues.

10.  Who are your friends?

The wrong friends can derail your student academically, socially, and spiritually.