Top 5 Parent Pointers

1. Be supportive of your student-listen to your student, ask questions and discuss issues brought up. Though your student is now in college and more independent, your support and encouragement continue to be very important.
2. Encourage your student to seek out her/his own solutions. Your role is one of supporting rather than fixing. As you will discover, the university has many tools for students to use. Feel free to offer advice when asked, but allow your student to be responsible for solving issues and problems.
3. FERPA is short for The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law regarding access to students’ educational information. The university is required to follow FERPA requirements regarding any release of information without written consent of the student. For more information on FERPA visit: registrar.colorado.edu and look under “Student Info.”
4. Help your student utilize the right tools: PLUS, the catalog, their advisor, faculty office hours, and the diverse array of support services on campus. Encourage your student to be proactive in learning about university resources as well as university rules, regulations and expectations. We want students to make their educational experience their own. Faculty and staff on campus can give them the tools, suggestions, and context with which to make informed decisions.
5. One of the important things for your student to learn while here is how to effectively advocate for himself or herself. It is natural for young adults used to relying on parents to turn to them for assistance. It is important for parents to support and encourage their students to learn to do it for themselves. Your role is to encourage your student to accept this responsibility rather than attempting to fulfill the advocacy role for him or her.

Published by the University of Colorado Office of Career Services