Eastern Kentucky University Parent Guide
Tips for Parents
- Make sure your student knows that while change is exciting, it can also be quite stressful. Whether your student is a first time freshman, a transfer student or living off campus for the first time, acknowledge the impact of this change in his or her life.
- Talk about things like academic expectations, employment, friends, living arrangements, and finances.
- Talk with your students about how often you will communicate with them. Talk about visits home or family visits to campus. This tends to change semester by semester.
- Ask open-ended questions.
- Reassure your student that initial adjustments are common and expected for the first year as well as for continuing students.
- Learning to deal with their new freedom and independence is one of the biggest adjustments for first year students. Remind them often to make good choices. Be sure to let them know that you are proud of their decision to continue their education.
- Register for Family Weekend and visit for Homecoming.
- EKU offers many free tutoring services in a variety of academic areas for students. Encourage your student to find out more about tutoring assistance.
- Classes may be canceled or delayed due to inclement weather. For cancellation or delay information, you can call (859) 622-2239 or check EKU’s home page, .
- Is the academic pressure from midterms and finals getting your student down? Encourage him or her to seek counseling or help from instructors early. For test anxiety tips see our Counseling Center web site.
- Advise your student to start thinking about co-op and summer internship opportunities. For more information, visit our Cooperative Education and Internship web site.
- Encourage your student to see an advisor early and schedule classes at the earliest possible date for the next semester. This will give him or her the best class selection option.
- Moving back home at the end of the semester can be a trying experience. Students may be worried about how the family will react to grades and their newfound independence. Keeping this in mind may help everyone adjust to being back together.
