|
about the College
OVERVIEW
Dear Parent:
College can be a transformative experience. It is a time when
students will learn about themselves and the world in which they
live. It also is a period of transition, and you might encounter
changes in your student's thought processes, behaviors, maturity,
and decision-making skills.
Some students have more difficulty than others adjusting to
the transition from high school to college; therefore, it might
be helpful to talk with your student about what it takes to be
successful at the University of Michigan. Here are some basics
for your student to consider for academic success:
- First and foremost, go to class! The significance of attendance
cannot be emphasized enough. It is difficult, if not impossible,
to master the material if students are not in class.
- Avoid procrastination. Waiting until the last day or hour
to complete an assignment may have worked in high school, but
procrastination can have serious consequences for college-level
work. Remind your student that his or her college classmates
all got A's and B's in high school but that not everyone at Michigan
will receive A's and B's. Everyone at the University is bright
and has the potential to be successful here. To ensure success,
your student should employ consistent study habits rather than
wait for last-minute inspiration. For every credit taken, students
should be prepared to spend three hours outside class in preparation.
For example, if your student takes 15 credits at Michigan, he
or she should count on spending approximately 45 hours per week
doing work related to those classes.
- Your student must be willing to set goals and be realistic
enough to evaluate those goals over time to make sure that they
remain compatible with his or her interests and intellectual
strengths. We hope that students will explore many areas of interest
and receive the broadest possible liberal arts education, but
setting goals for performance and selecting courses that match
their curiosity and interests are strategies that will increase
the likelihood of a successful academic experience. It is central
to Academic Advising's mission to help students make important
decisions about exciting opportunities, from choosing a concentration
or finding a wonderful internship through deciding what medical
school or law school best suits their needs. We encourage students
to stay in touch with their academic advisor.
- If your student experiences any problem in a class, he or
she should meet with the instructor immediately. Seeking assistance
is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of active intellectual
engagement, and UM faculty are more than willing to help a student
better understand the material. If your student needs help resolving
a problem in or out of class, he or she should contact the LS&A
Academic Advising Center at (734) 764-0332 and make an appointment
with his or her academic advisor.
Your student should know that our college expects students
to take full responsibility for his or her actions both in and
out of the classroom; that we will treat them as adults (even
as we recognize that they are still maturing); and that we will
expect them to take the initiative in making their college education
a successful, productive, and positive experience.
To help you support your student make the transition from
high school to college, we have put together this Parent Handbook.
If you have questions that are not answered by this handbook,
please contact the LS&A Academic Advising Center:
phone: (734) 764-0332
e-mail: parents.ask.lsaadvising@umich.edu
web: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/
|
|
Esrold A. Nurse, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
LS&A Student Academic Affairs
|
|
