Timeline

1. Before Coming to the University

Own their decisions

Research has shown that students who make their own decisions are more satisfied with their university experience. It is important for students to understand why they are coming to BYU and identify personal reasons for attending. The same principle applies to choosing classes. As a parent, you can help by encouraging students to research what classes they will need for graduation, contact their advisement center and register for classes. Although students may sometimes want you to make those decisions for them, it is important for students to own their decisions in the end.

Make a financial plan

"Like most things in life, the way to get through school in good financial shape is easy to describe, but apparently difficult to do. All the experts agree that making and sticking to a realistic budget is the first step toward controlling your financial destiny. Yet so few people actually do it. Do yourself a favor - make a budget and live by it. You'll save yourself headaches, a lot of money, and, despite what may you believe, you can still have a life." For more information visit http://www.uheaa.org.

2. During the first month of the semester:

Involvement

Determine how much involvement you will have with your student. Students need some independence so be involved but not overly involved. Also about this time your student might be getting homesick. Help your student to adjust to the university and encourage them to connect with the community around them.

3. After the first mid-term:

Struggling Student

If your student is struggling academically, direct him or her to the resources available on campus. You could encourage them to visit with their Freshman Academy Peer Mentors who are aware of many resources on-campus to help students academically or otherwise. Here are a list of resources for your student:

• Academic Support
• Tutoring Services
• University Accessibilities (for students with disabilities)
• Career & Learning Information Center

4. At the first break:

Visits Home

Be aware that your student will find things to be different when he or she comes home for the first time. Now that home for them is Provo, they may feel out of place at your home and around former friends. They may be disappointed that life at home has gone on without them, or that the room that was once their's may not be their's anymore, or that connections with high school friends have changed. The student may also feel like they, too, have changed since being away at school and may struggle fitting back into the life family life. This is especially true for students who are a long way from home and can't visit frequently. Take the time to listen to your student's experiences, be supportive of how they may have changed since they left for college, and help him or her realize they have started a new life in Provo– their home for now.

5. At the end of the semester

Follow Up

The end of a semester is a great time to ask your student about what they learned and how they did. Your student might have regrets and things that they would have changed. Help them make goals for the next semester and point out what they did well. You may want to share insights found in, "What Successful Students Do" in the "Successful Students" link.