Tips for Parents

The University of Central Arkansas values its partnerships with parents and families as we strive to work together to ensure our students develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and professionally. To develop this partnership, we want to equip you with helpful advice and strategies you can use when fostering your student’s growth.

Smile!

When your teen leaves for college, you should be his/her biggest cheerleader. College students moving away from home need a confident smile to reassure that they are doing the right thing. It can be both a joyous and fearful moment in their lives!

Do not call every day.

So many students now have their own cell phone and it is tempting to want to keep in constant touch. Please start now in cutting the apron strings and talk only a few times per week. No first-year college student wants Mom and Dad checking up on them daily. Let your child know that you trust him/her.

Ask “generalized” questions (but not too many).

How are your classes? Are you having a good time? How is the cafeteria food?.... these are great questions that will get better answers than the following: What is your roommate like (he or she might be listening close by)? Are you staying out of trouble? All in all, the less you ask - the more they will tell.

Listen with an open mind.

Sometimes college life can be stressful and frustrating, even for the most studious or sociable students. Whether it is classes or friends just listen and do not judge. The easiest way to deal with their issues is just to listen and offer options on what they can do. Remember, college is the time for students to grow and learn from their mistakes. Give your student the freedom to make his/her own choices and hold your student accountable.

Have a discussion about “facebook”, “myspace” and “twitter”.

These electronic websites can have a lasting effect on a person’s life and what is posted there is forever archived to follow the student throughout their lives…..think applying for a job, joining the military, becoming president……Employers use these sites to research potential employees’ personal lives. Students are notorious for posting information that is too personal and too informative about themselves. Encourage them to be judicious in what information they post.

Encourage them.

Encourage them to take over the daily tasks of their lives if they have not already. Every residence hall has a laundry room! (Do not let them tell you we don’t!) There are many places in Conway to purchase their own toiletries and needed supplies.

We believe these are things students should be doing themselves and are an important part of college and young adult life.

Encourage involvement

College is more than classes and homework. Experience with extracurricular activities is valued by employers. Encourage your child to be active in their field of study by joining clubs and honor societies. These opportunities will allow your student to meet others, develop leadership and social skills, and contribute to their transition to a new setting.

The more involved and connected students are with the University of Central Arkansas and its faculty, staff, and other students, the more invested they will be in their education and college experience.

Do NOT make surprise visits to school.

Parents visiting their student are something tricky to deal with because the parents are in the student’s world, so they feel very responsible for showing them around and being with them. When the parents show up and the student has no idea they are coming, things get stressful.

Talk about credit cards and finances before school begins.

We encourage parents to have a frank discussion about finances with the students. Will the student have a credit card? Should a parent be a co-signer and get copies of the statements? Banks bombard college students with credit-card offers. As a result, students can get over their heads in debt and even ruin their credit ratings before they graduate. We encourage you to discuss with your student about making an educated decision on budgeting finances and credit card needs.

Be interested, not critical, of course selection.

UCA has course selections and degree requirements that your student will learn about during his/her first year. Our professional and experienced Academic Advising Center staff will advise your students during their first year. Parents are advised to express interest in, rather than criticism of, their son’s and daughter’s choices.

Remember, what you may think is a great class or major to pursue may not be in your student’s interest. Ultimately this is your student’s education.

Tips taken from Concordia University Irvine, Fairmont State, Wellesley College, University of North Texas, and Pepperdine University