Parents Guide

Things to do in September-

Encourage your student to attend class regularly and to stay caught up with their assignments daily. Many good students out of high school have never really learned effective study habits. If this is true of your student, you may want to suggest that they sign up for Student Development 110, Effective Study and Learning.

Encourage your student to set up an appointment to meet with an advisor in their College Advisement Center (CAC) after the first week of class (see list of CACs at http://saas.byu.edu). An advisor can help your student get on the right path towards graduation. If they are undecided about a major, make sure they speak with someone from the University Advisement Center. Advisors are prepared to assist students in determining an appropriate major and career choice. Students can also access a copy of their Major Academic Plan (MAP) and the Undergraduate Catalog through BYU's homepage. Both of these publications will provide information to help your student make wise class choices.

Write or e-mail your student (even if they don't write back). Although most freshmen are typically eager to experience all of the away-from-home independence, they also relish any news from home and family.

Don't ask your student if they're homesick. The first few weeks of school are filled with new activities and friends. The challenge of adjusting to new situations takes a lot of new student's time and concentration. So, unless they're reminded of it often, they'll probably be able to escape the loneliness and frustration of homesickness.

Reassure your student that feeling a little overwhelmed is to be expected at first. Help your student learn to take on day at a time.

Encourage your student to take responsibility for assignments, attend class regularly, get involved, etc. They will find out very soon that they are mainly responsible for whether or not they have a successful academic experience.

Encourage your student to get to know their instructors, particularly those who whose classes are more difficult. Most teachers are willing to do all they can to help a student succeed, but the student needs to take the initiative.

Join the Parents Program. This organization was designed by the Alumni Association to help parents feel more involved. The signature event is the annual Parents Weekend October 19-21. This program is a way of helping parents share the BYU experience with their students and will be filled with activities that range from athletic events, cultural arts offerings, faculty lectures, dinner with President Samuelson, tours and more. (For more information about the Parents Program and to register for Parents Weekend, visit http://parents.byu.edu.)

Encourage your student to attend the weekly forum and devotional assemblies—a truly unique BYU experience that helps to buoy their spirits.