1	Helping Your College Student on Their Path to a Successful Future STUDENT DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Building 1, Ankeny Campus (515)964-6200 or 800-362-2127
2	Dear Parents/Guardians, THANK YOU for supporting your newly enrolled DMACC student! The transition to college is an exciting and confusing time for you and your student. We hope to alleviate some of the anxiety you may feel by clearly outlining what you might expect as your student transitions from the high school to the college environment.
3	College vs. High School Both parents and students will become familiar with a few key differences within the first semester of the college experience It is exciting and challenging to accept the new level of responsibility the student encounters in his/her transition to college
4	How is college different than high school?
5	High school vs. College Students count on parents and teachers to remind them of responsibilities and to guide in setting priorities The student’s time is structured by others Each day students proceed from one class to another, spending 6 hours a day in class Students manage their own time Students must balance responsibilities and set priorities, facing moral and ethical decisions never faced before Students arrange schedule in consultation with adviser; schedules look lighter than are.
6	Guiding Principles: In High School: Students will usually be told what to do and corrected if their behavior is out of line. In College: Students are expected to take responsibility for what they do and don’t do, as well as the consequences for decisions.
7	High school vs. College Students may study outside class as little as 0 to 2 hours a week Students are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed and often re-taught in class Students seldom need to read anything more than once and sometimes listening is enough Students need to study at least 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class Students need to review class notes and text material regularly Students are assigned large amounts of reading/writing which may not be addressed
8	Guiding Principles: In High School: Students will usually be told in class what they need to learn from assigned readings. In College: It’s up to students to read and understand the assigned material; lectures and assignments will proceed from the assumption that they have already done so.
9	High school vs. College Teachers often check completed homework Teachers approach students if believe need assistance Teachers are often available before, during or after class Teachers carefully monitor class attendance Instructors assume students can perform homework tasks on tests Instructors expect student to initiate contact if need assistance Instructors expect student to read, save and consult syllabus for expectations
10	Guiding Principles: High School: A teaching environment in which students acquire facts and skills. College: A learning environment in which students take responsibility for thinking through and applying what they have learned.
11	High School Counseling vs. College Counseling In high school, each student is assigned a guidance counselor In college, there are counselors available for your student, but it is up to the student to initiate contact with the counselor to receive services in career, personal, or academic counseling
12	What if our student doesn’t know what he/she wants to major in? Call Student Development at (515) 964-6200 Make an appointment with a Counselor Use Career and Transfer Resource Center Enroll in the SDV 130, Career Exploration course that helps your student develop career exploration skills
13	As students enter college, they begin to make career, academic, and personal decisions that will impact them for many years to come. The Student Development Office is available to assist your student to acquire the knowledge to make those decisions. As college students, the responsibility now lies with the student to make the most informed choices available and to seek assistance when needed.
14	What is my role & what are my rights as the parent? Roles of the parents change dramatically in the college arena. Students make their own decisions with the assistance of professional advisors and/or counselors. Due to privacy laws, parents are no longer able to access student’s records without the student’s written permission.
15	Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) DMACC is subject to a federal law called FERPA which sets privacy standards for student educational records. Once students are 18 or attending a postsecondary institution, the right to access records transfers from the parent to the student. Records include: academic performance information (grades), course schedule, financial information, etc. Third parties (including parents) cannot have access to these records without the student’s written permission.
16	"Records do not include" Records do not include: dates enrolled, academic major, and degrees received. Sometimes, family members feel frustrated by this law, especially when they are making a financial investment in their college educations.
17	How can I learn how my student is doing? The best approach is to ask your son or daughter directly. Communicating with young adults isn’t easy and they are not always as forthcoming as we would like. However, the college years are periods of remarkable growth and development and you should see their willingness to share information grow as they acquire increased confidence and responsibility. Maintaining an open and supportive relationship with your student is important!
18	Your Student’s Well-Being Staying well can be a tall order for busy college students. Yet, it’s vital to their success. You may wish to consider: Taking emotional issues seriously Touting the benefits of good sleep Supplying healthy snacks Suggesting ways to keep physically active Encouraging community service
19	Alcohol and Other Drugs You can help your student negotiate temptations and make wise choices during the college years by: Talking openly about alcohol and drugs Empowering them to say “no” when something doesn’t feel right Learning all you can about alcohol, “date rape drugs”, and other substances Not glorifying your own “youthful indiscretions” if you had them Keeping the lines of communication open
20	Academics Your student is in college primarily to learn. You can support his/her academic progress by: Regularly asking what he/she is learning Talking about class content (not just grades) Encouraging the use of the Academic Achievement Center and tutoring Encouraging extra credit and class participation Helping your student balance work, extracurricular activities, social life, and classes
21	Money Matters Some students need assistance in learning how to make smart financial choices. You can help by: Setting limits if you are providing a credit card Working together to set up a budget for the year Warning your student not to apply for every credit card offered Encouraging your student to chip in to pay expenses rather than relying on you for a handout Discouraging frequent visits to the ATM Encouraging him/her to keep an eye on scholarship and financial aid opportunities
22	Emotional Well-Being College can be a time of high stresses. You can help by: Becoming aware of the stresses your student is facing Listening and listening well Using your conversations to strengthen connections Talking, not criticizing Agreeing to disagree Knowing the warning signs of depression Encouraging the use of college resources (counselors, special support services, website, etc.)
23	Parent Support/Expectations Discussion In what ways will you support the academic, career, and personal goals of your son/daughter? What do you expect from your son/daughter that will help you support his/her academic career?
24
25	Your feedback is important! Please take a few minutes to locate and complete the Evaluation Form in your packet. Are there areas we didn’t cover that might be important? Do you have recommendations to help us improve our Parent Orientation?
26	Please be our guest…. While your student is completing his/her registration, please utilize this time to visit these locations on the DMACC Ankeny campus: Bookstore – Building 5 Financial Aid – Building 1 Student Accounts – Building 1 Cafeteria – Building 1 Library – Building 6
27	In summary…. Sending a child to college is a major transition in both of your lives Be prepared for some additional stress Our Student Development professionals are here to assist your student all along the way
28	References “How is College Different from High School?”, Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, Southern Methodist University. pp 1-3. “Parent Orientation”, Three Rivers Community College, 2005. “Parents’ Guide to College”, PaperClip Communications, Little Falls, NJ, pp 1-7. “What Can Parents Do to Best Support a Child’s College Experience?”, Screening for Mental Health, Inc., Wellesley Hills, MA, pp 1-2.
29	"We wish you and your..." We wish you and your student a successful experience at Des Moines Area Community College!