Dear
Parents/Guardians of UPG First-Year Students,
There are many theories regarding college student
development, and each offers perspective on how and why students change throughout
their college careers. Different people believe in different theories for
different reasons. No matter which student development theory you most believe,
it seems as though they boil down to the same basic premise -- you and your
student will experience change throughout his/her college career.
You will be sent a booklet included in the initial
mailing of S.O.A.R. information entitled "Helping Your First-Year Student
Succeed." Read it, and more importantly -- talk about it with your student.
There are other resources available, although none will be able to describe
what your experience or your student's experience will be as he or she begins
their college career at UPG. Letting Go by Karen Levin Coburn &
Madge Lawrence Treeger is a book that shares first-hand experiences from both
students and parents. Let the Journey Begin: A Parent's Monthly Guide to
the College Experience may also prove useful to you and has some special
sections devoted to students that commute.
The
following advice was given by UPG faculty, staff and students
based on their own experiences. This advice is not intended to tell you how
to raise your student, but it is offered in the spirit of trying to assist
you and your student in making the transition from his or her high school
years to his or her college experience.
Sincerely,
Amber Sherman
Interim
Director of Orientation & Co-Curricular Programs
"Parents keep in touch
with your students; but not too much - let them enjoy the advantages of college
life."
-Jessie, Junior
"Encourage
your student's independence, and encourage your students to face difficult
decisions/situations, because they will arise."
~Ginny,
Office of Student Services and mom of 2
"Become
involved in campus and community activities; be open to [your student]
learning outside of the university"
~Kate, Junior
"1.
Go over the cost of education with your son or daughter before they enroll
for
courses so that they understand that this is not a free ride.
2.
Write down the name of the person that you speak to so that you can talk
to
them
directly in the future ifyou need
to.
3.
Make a copy, before you send it, of everything and keep it in your files.
You
don't want to have to fill out the forms all over again.This
also
helps
you to maintain your own sanity."
~Carol
Calloway, staff member
"It
seems like yesterday we were walking them to kindergarten, now they're
experiencing
their first year of college, WOW! where did the time go.It
will
be hard, but you need to instill trust in them and remind them that
you
love them and talk to them about drugs, sex and alcohol and pray that
they've
listened."
~Debbie,
staff member and mom of 3
"Parents
-- stand behind your student, success or failure; especially
failure."
~Matt
Rahuba, resident senior
"Parents,
while it may be hard, try to allow your child as much
independence
as possible, it will only give them a head start in the game
of
life."
~Casey Tomes, Class of 2004
"The
academic learning is extremely important, but so is the social learning
-- pay attention to their social needs as far as making friends. There
is a lot to learn on the college campus, and not all of that is in the
classroom or textbook. Much of that learning takes place in the community
areas -- dining hall, library, lounges etc. Your student will learn about
themselves and others."
~Helen
"Don't
underestimate how challenging college can be.Support
your son or daughter in every way possible, because they'll need every
ounce of support you can offer."
~Brian, Junior Resident Assistant