Advising Answers for Parents

The Learning & Advising Center serves as the primary academic advising resource for first-year  students (including transfers), as well as a continuing source of information for upper level students.  Our proactive advising philosophy ensures that all first year students have the opportunity to consult regularly with a trained faculty advisor.  Your student will have an assigned advisor who reaches out to students on a regular basis.  However, your student may also meet with any first-year advisor during our Drop-In hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

A student’s transition to university can be challenging for both parents and students.  As a parent, you can partner with university faculty and professionals to help your student by knowing about and understanding the academic services available to assist them. We count on you to refer your student to us to clarify questions about curriculum, policy, procedures and their academic goals.

Parents can support their student by 

Recognizing that high school and college are as different as “checkers to chess”—the board is the same, but the moves are very different (David Johns)

Encouraging your student to reach out proactively when they need academic assistance or help navigating the university’s policies and procedures

Emphasizing that a first year faculty advisor is the first person to go to for help

Reinforcing that students at all levels of proficiency benefit from tutoring

Parents can also engage their student in conversations about their academic coursework

Ask your student what they are learning

Request a syllabus for information about course goals and learning objectives

Ask your student to explain grading criteria and encourage them to ask professors if unsure

Ask your student to show you how they monitor their own course grades and calculate GPA

Request that your student share midterm grades with you—the only official grades available on WebAdvisor during a semester

It’s important for students to meet with their advisors 

During the first month of their first semester at the university

To get to know their faculty advisor and make their first professional connection

To set academic and personal goals for each semester

After midterms, especially if any course grade is below a C-

Prior to registration - by early November and early April

Whenever questions about academic policies or the major arise

By mid-March if a student is thinking about taking a summer course at another institution

When a student is considering a change of major or withdrawal from the University

Advising Answers for Parents