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the keys to
first year success
FOR PARENTS
Academic
Issues to Consider:
- The pace of the Academic Term at the university will
be much quicker and less structured than in high school. Students
are in class less often, and instructors have less time to ensure
that students are keeping up with their work. As a result, it
is essential that students maintain, revise, or develop effective
time management and study skills.
- Parents can help by encouraging
students to use their Academic Planner and discussing
ways to be better organized. Parents also can discuss ways that
they manage time efficiently at work or with other responsibilities.
- Learning to think critically is crucial to success
in college and life in general but is not something with which
most first-year students have much experience. Virtually every
class students take at UM will place a great deal of emphasis
on critical thinking. In many situations, students will find
that there is not a "right answer." Often professors
will want students to focus on understanding the significance
of an issue rather than coming up with a "correct answer."
- Parents can help by engaging students
in a conversation about the significance of their studies.
Critical thinking is a process that requires students
to go beyond factual answers and opinions.
- Students need to take ownership of their education. A
college education is a tremendous opportunity, and it can prepare
students to succeed professionally and personally. Students,
however, must take full advantage of this opportunity by assuming
ownership of their education. We strongly encourage students
to explore areas of academic interest and take classes in subjects
they find interesting. Because there is no magic formula for
academic or professional success, the main objective of any LS&A
degree is to help students obtain a well-rounded education that
will provide them with the tools they need to succeed. Students
need to seize this opportunity and make the most of their education.
 Parents can help by encouraging
students to pursue their own academic interests, while simultaneously
acquiring skills (e.g., critical thinking, problem solving,
analytic skills, oral and written communication skills, etc.)
that will ensure success after graduation. Parents also can help
by asking students what they are learning,
why they enjoy what they are learning, and what skills they are
developing. It also might be helpful to talk about
your own educational and career experiences.
- Learning to be proactive at a large research university
is essential. The College of Literature, Science, and the
Arts at UM has more than 15,000 undergraduate students, and some
introductory courses will have as many as 500 students in them.
In order to succeed in this environment, students must seek out
advice and resources available at the university.
- Parents can help by encouraging their student to utilize
their instructors' office hours, ask questions in class, and
visit the LS&A Advising Center. Students will also benefit
from using the Math Lab, the Language Resource Center, and the
Science Learning Center. Parents might want to discuss their
own strategies for being successful in life.
- Many first-year students will experience some homesickness. This is understandable and normal given
the tremendous transition that students face at the university.
- Parents can help by staying in regular
contact with their students. If your student has questions
or concerns, you might encourage them to speak with academic
advisors or with Residence Hall advisors. It is important that
parents reassure students that homesickness is fairly typical
and will usually diminish as the academic term progresses. Open
communication during this difficult time is very important.
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