Involving Grandparents in the College Experience

September 15, 2021October 20, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Several research studies tell us that college students who have a strong support system at home do better in college. As college parents, we work hard to provide that support system. We may even think about how to involve siblings in our college student’s life. Sometimes, however, we may forget an important source of continued support for our college student — grandparents. One estimate indicates that more than half of adults over the age of 65 have adult grandchildren over 18. So many college students have grandparents who may want to be involved in their college experiences.

Not all college students may have grandparents who are able to be involved in their grandchild’s college life, but there are many different ways that grandparents might contribute to the student’s experiences. One survey of students indicated that relationships with grandparents or significant elders influenced their life choices, values and goals. These relationships gave students a sense of self, of roots, of tradition. Another study found that student perceptions of their relationships with grandparents were generally positive. They felt affection and respect for their grandparents.

Why Is My Student In ”Developmental Classes”?

March 18, 2017October 18, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

The step from high school to college may actually be better termed a large leap. Students need to make important changes in their expectations, approaches, habits, attitudes and responsibilities. For students who are moving away and living at school the challenges are even greater. Although most students understand that there will be significant changes in their social world and in their independence and responsibilities, many students — and their parents — underestimate the significance of the academic differences between high school and college.

Although they may be ready for college in many ways, a portion of students may not be ready for college level academic work. Most colleges recognize that some students need to improve academic skills or fill in gaps in order to enhance their chances for academic success. These students needing extra readiness skills may be placed in ”developmental courses”. Although these courses may have different titles or designations at different institutions, their purpose is the same: to help the student gain proficiency in basic skills in order to help him succeed.

Parenting College Students: More Recommended Reading

December 17, 2021October 15, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

This post includes a list of twelve books of interest to parents of college students. We’ve previously suggested fourteen additional titles which you might want to check out. There are certainly other resources available, but these two lists should give parents a good start on material to support them through the college years. All of the books have different styles and approaches, so it is important to find the books which resonate for you.

We are not necessarily endorsing these books, but we’d like to help you find materials available. You won’t want to read them all, but you might look for some titles that intrigue you.

Over the next few months, we hope to review some of these books to provide a bit more guidance about their content and approaches. Check our ”Reviews” category to see what we’ve reviewed so far. Happy reading!

What Are College Parental Notification Policies?

October 6, 2021October 13, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

As parents, we worry about our children when they head off to college. No matter how much we trust them, and respect them, and know in our minds that they will be fine, we are concerned about them. In some cases, we may be especially worried, or we may not completely trust them, because of a history of unwise behavior or questionable habits in high school. In either case, we worry because our children are not only away from us and on their own, possibly for the first time, but we also worry because we may not know when they are in trouble.

In 1974, Congress passed the Buckley Amendment, commonly referred to as the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which gave parents certain rights to their child’s educational records. When a student turns eighteen, those rights transfer to the student, which means that information goes directly to the student, rather than the parents. Congress revised the law in 1998 and further clarified it in 2000, to allow (but not require) institutions to notify parents if students under the age of twenty-one violate campus alcohol or drug policies.

One of the first things that you can do as a parent is to be clear about the notification policy at your student’s institution. You may ask about the policy on an admissions visit. The information may be available on the college website. You may need to call a Dean of Students or Parent Relations Office to find the answer. Be clear about the policy. Don’t assume that all is well with your student because you haven’t heard anything if you find that your student’s school has a no notification policy.

Helping Your College Student Make Sense of Midterm Grades

March 21, 2021October 11, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Once midterm exams are over, many students will receive their midterm grades. At some institutions students will receive grades, if they receive them at all, individually from instructors. At other institutions, there may be something more formal. Students may receive actual letter grades, or they may receive something to indicate satisfactory or unsatisfactory grades.

There are some important things to remember about midterm grades — and to help your student remember in order to make sense — and productive use — of these mid-semester grades.

Why Your College Student Should Talk To Their Professor If They’re Struggling

March 10, 2022October 6, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Many college students, even the best college students, struggle at one time or another. It may be a difficult time for the student, it may be a difficult subject for the student, or there may be a teaching/learning style issue with the instructor. Whatever the reason for the difficulty, it is often hard for a parent to watch a student struggle. Parents may feel helpless and may want to step in to help. Parents can be helpful, as always, by being supportive. However, they can also be helpful by encouraging their student to address any difficulties. By encouraging your student to take some action, you are sending them the message that you believe that they can take charge of what is happening in their life.

The first and best place for the student to begin dealing with the issue of academic difficulty is to talk to their instructor. Students and their professors have the same goal: the student’s success. This involves a shared responsibility. A conversation with the instructor is a good way to explore the problem and begin to formulate a solution. Most difficulties only get worse when they are ignored or when there is no communication.

Ten Suggestions to Help Students Through the Stress of Midterm Exams

October 9, 2019October 4, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Midterm exam time is a stressful time for most students. For many students, midterm exam time comes as a wake-up call. The beginning of the semester has progressed smoothly, or so it seems, and then suddenly your student realizes how much there still is to do on that paper or project, or how many chapters are yet unread, or how much material must be memorized for an exam. Although some students may have had large midterm or final exams in high school, for some students this may be a new experience. This may be one of the first big college reality checks for your student.

College parents may feel helpless as their college student begins to worry or even panic over exams. This is one of those college moments where your student needs to figure out how they will cope. However, there are a few things that parents can do to help students through this stressful time.

Location, Location, Location: Where’s Your College Student Studying?

January 7, 2022September 29, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

You know your college student is having many different kinds of experiences while they are at college. You want then to have experiences that will expand their world, increase their independence, and broaden their thinking. But you also know that your student will be spending a significant amount of time at college (hopefully!) just doing the work of studying. When you visualize your student diligently studying, where do you picture them? Do you visualize your student sitting in their peaceful residence hall room at their carefully organized desk? You might be surprised to find that this may be the least desirable place for your student to accomplish their work.

Reminding your student to spend enough time studying maybe one of the things that you expect to do, and your student probably expects to hear that from you. But remember, your student needs to take charge of making their own decisions about studying. If you want to take a slightly different approach that might help your student do well, suggest that they get creative in their thinking about where they are studying as well as how much they are studying. Many students find that having just the right spot to settle in and get work done makes a big difference. Recognizing that every student’s needs are different, and that every campus provides different options, of course, is important.

First Year Seminar: Your College Student’s First Step Into College

July 22, 2018September 27, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Not all colleges and universities offer a course called First-Year or Freshman Seminar. But more and more colleges are offering some kind of course specifically designed to help students make the adjustment to college life and college academics. Your college student may be registered for such a course and you may be wondering what it entails.

First Year Seminar courses are designed to enhance the success of first year students as they make the transition to college and college level work. They are usually available only to new first year students, but occasionally they are also open to transfer students. In recent years, as the result of many research studies, more and more colleges are focusing on the entire experience of first-year students. There is a growing effort to help these students adjust and succeed. The focus on the first-year experience provides a double benefit. Students succeed, and therefore the attrition rate decreases. Students stay at their college and colleges increase their retention rates. It is a good outcome for everyone.

What to Do If Your College Student is Sick at School

October 14, 2019September 24, 2009 by Vicki Nelson

Colleges across the country have put careful plans into place to deal with students who may become sick with flu. Check the plan put in place by your student’s school (probably on the website). Make sure your student knows what to do if they feel that they have the flu.

As parents, we worry when our children get sick. We worried when they were infants, we worried when they were young, and we continue to worry about our children when they become adults. When your child is far away from home, you worry even more. It is difficult, as a parent, to hear from your college student that they are sick — and it is a difficult time for your student as well. This may be the first time that your student is sick without having you there to care for them. Although you may be feeling helpless, there are a few things that you can do to help your college student through this time.