Middle Tennessee State University Parent Guide

Academics

• Available Resources to help your Student Choose a Major

  Choosing a major is one of the most important challenges for college students – and one that they may do more than once during their career. But, what resources are available to help them choose? The following list provides some of the resources available to help your student get more information about different majors and career options: Read More

• Help your Student Manage Exam Expectations

• Welcome to MTSU from Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

• More articles on Academics

Career Planning

• Tips for Helping your Student Build A Resume

  With the economy headed towards challenging and uncertain times, your college student needs to carefully build their resumes in order to be better prepared to find a job or an internship in an increasingly tough market.  Many students start college with little or no work experience and virtually nothing else to put on a resume. Regardless of you student’s career path, there are certain fundamental things they can do to build an effective resume from scratch: Read More

• Career Planning Resources

• More articles on Career Planning

Health & Safety

• Keeping your Student Safe: Campus Safety Tips

  While your student is away at school, the last thing a parent wants or needs to worry about is the safety of their student. Read this article to view our safety tips. Read More

• Understanding (and overcoming) the Challenges that face First-Generation College Students

• Time for Midterms: Providing Help with Exam Stress

• More articles on Health & Safety

Managing Finances

• Finding College Scholarships and Grants

  While the rising costs of a college education may make some feel as if higher education is a luxury, there is still plenty of help available for those who need it through scholarships and grants. College scholarships and grants are readily available to students willing to do the research and pay attention to the rules, requirements and other "details." Read More

Student Life

• What to get your College Student for the Holidays

  If asked, many college students would prefer money or gift cards for the holidays - and while they are theoretically valid gifts, money and gift cards aren’t what most parents are looking to give their college students for the holidays. Shopping for college students can be tough. We’ve compiled a list of suggestions for useful and fun presents to make a college student's life easier. Read more to learn about holiday gifts that get your college student excited. Read More

• Alma Mater and Fight Song

• Off-Campus Student Services

• More articles on Student Life

College Admissions

• Understanding (and overcoming) the Challenges that face First-Generation College Students

  While some students’ eyes may glaze over when their parents recall their college days, these students have an advantage. First-generation college students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college face a unique set of challenges. Without guidance from a parent who experienced college, first-generation students are at a disadvantage. According to a report by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, first-generation students who enroll in post secondary institutions have lower degree completion rates. While 56 percent of students whose parents have a bachelor’s degree attain a degree within five years of enrolling, only 44 percent of first-generation college students earn a degree. Read More

Financial Planning

• Finding College Scholarships and Grants

  While the rising costs of a college education may make some feel as if higher education is a luxury, there is still plenty of help available for those who need it through scholarships and grants. College scholarships and grants are readily available to students willing to do the research and pay attention to the rules, requirements and other "details." Read More