For first-time college students, life on campus equals one part excitement, one part fear, and one part confidence.
Which part most dominates your teen’s life depends on a number of factors, including the role that you choose to play in his/ her life during this time.
This post looks at three steps you can take to help your teen experience a smoother transition into college life.
1. Talk With Your Teen About Their Classes and Schedule
An article in the DavenPost, a Davenport University publication, reminds parents to check in with their teens and to ask them specific questions about their academic schedules.
For example, it’s important to find out if your teen is struggling in a class. If so, find out if he/ she is doing their homework or setting up an appointment to talk with the professor during the professor’s office hours.
Asking about grades isn’t specific enough. Parents need to ask about the habits that will support getting good grades. In other words, is your teen studying regularly and going to class each time it meets?
For first-year students, it can be tempting to not go to class or to put off homework until the last minute. (Those first months of freedom away from mom and dad contribute to these temptations.)
It can also be a fine line for parents to walk because learning independence through trial and error counts among the most important lessons that college life has to offer.
That being the case, your best bet may be to ask unassuming questions about college life, your teen’s college schedule, how he/ she is managing to get from class to class, and the like.
If you suspect some problem areas based on these questions, you can dig a bit deeper. Hopefully, this will help your teen learn what kinds of questions he/ she should be asking about his/ her habits.
Finally, if you have taken the above steps and your teen is still struggling in school, it may be in his/ her best interest to find a tutor who can help. Work with your teen and with the school’s academic services department to find a tutor in the area.
2. Make Sure Your Teen Has Everything He/ She Needs to Study
There is a reason that a student’s professors put certain books and resources on the class syllabus. Students need those items in order to learn effectively, but some students try to skimp on items, like books, learning apps, or educational subscriptions because they want to save money.
However, students who choose not to get these items to suffer in the end, usually due to poor grades. In this case, the best thing you can do for your teen is to encourage him/ her to get all the necessary books, apps, and subscriptions he/ she needs to succeed.
On a related note, it’s not just books and apps that college students need these days. They need the proper home support, too.
A quiet study area, high-quality providers for internet service, and study snacks and drinks to keep your teen fueled up during heavy study sessions also support academic success.
3. Talk About Life Skills Internet Providers
Some colleges and universities require first-year students to live in the dorms and to be on a meal plan. This reminds teens that they have to schedule events, like meals. It also ensures that they don’t starve.
other related articles of interest:
It’s a good first step, but parents need to be aware of the life skills that teens need to survive those first days of college (and beyond) For example, it’s important to talk to your child about his/ her schedule and to make time for meals.
It’s also important that he/ she knows how to deal with money so that payday doesn’t seem so far away. Ideally, you’ve gone over these skills before your teen left home, but it’s good to offer reminders.
Other important skills include:
- Basic cleaning skills, including laundry
- How to dress, both casually and for business
- Car care skills if your teen has a car at college
- Etc.
Final Thoughts on Your Teen’s College Success
Your support and input can mean the difference between your child succeeding in college and not. Teaching your child to cook or balance his or her budget, to study regularly, and to seek out help when necessary all build the foundation for success in college and life beyond academia.
Image Credit: how to help your teen succeed by envato.com
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FEBRUARY: getting ready for college (part of HS college calendar)
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