Timely Topics

• Parents & Families

Tips for Helping Your Student Succeed

Every student's college experience is different and each student will need a variety of resources to aid in his or her success. In this summary, you will find information pertaining to these resources and we encourage you to read through them and discuss them with your student.

Time Management

Your student's college schedule will be very unlike her high school one. Some classes may begin at 8:00am where others may begin at 6:45pm. She may be tempted to hang out with friends, sleep in a little late or "forget" to write that paper, but it is important for her to make every class count. Many college students are still learning important time management skills when they arrive on campus. Plus, some students may think that their professors are not "keeping track" of attendance because they are not taking a roll call at the beginning of each class. Many professors do penalize students for not attending their class and just copying a classmates' notes will not do the trick. Attending class gives students an opportunity to make a connection with their faculty and ask for explanations on difficult materials. Begin talking with your student early about their time management skills and urge them to keep a reasonable schedule on week nights. If they think that their time management skills could use a tune-up, encourage them to seek assistance in the Office of Academic Advising and Assistance.

Self-Care

The intensity of academic and personal growth during the college years brings with it new challenges and exciting changes. The Wheelock College Counseling Center helps students make the most of this time of rapid change in their lives by providing services which foster the enhancement of psychological health and personal effectiveness. Their staff is available to assist students as they clarify their needs and goals, and to support them in their efforts to find ways to make healthy life choices.

The Counseling Center also plays an integral role in fostering the mission of Wheelock College students. A professional who is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families must have a strong and healthy sense of self. The Counseling Center affords students the opportunity for exploration of self, as well as of relationships with others and with the larger world. In this process, students become better able to realistically identify strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as more effective at dealing with both. As personal growth flourishes, it paves the way for professional growth and success.

Setting Goals

The importance of goal setting as a college student cannot be stressed enough. Not only will setting goals help your student to succeed in her college career, but the same method can also be used to improve all other aspects of her life.

Before college, many students relied heavily on others to help keep them on the right track. As her parent, you watched to make sure that her grades didn't slip and her school would notify you if she skipped out on class. However, with college comes greater freedom, which has its benefits and drawbacks. Making her own decisions without anyone looking over her shoulder is empowering and helps her to grow into a competent adult, but it also means that she needs to learn to be self-motivated and take full responsibility for her decisions.

Financial Management

It would not be uncommon for your student to call home a few weeks into the semester to tell you that he has blown through the spending money that you gave him on move-in day and he is suffering without funds. You may be thinking, "You're suffering? I just paid the room, board, tuition and fees!" Students living on campus actually should have few out-of-pocket expenses. Start working with your student early to formulate a budget and spending allowance that you both think is reasonable. Establish limits with your student, and stick to them. For extra spending cash and money for the all-important late-night pizza, encourage your student to find a work-study or term-time job in one of the campus offices. Many offices look forward to student help and have jobs that can accommodate most students' schedules. If working on campus isn't appealing, many of our students have found great jobs at Fenway Park and many of our area theaters, movie theaters and restaurants. Finally, talk with your student about just-saying-no to those tempting credit card offers. What seems like endless money today can lead to bad credit and headaches in the future.

 

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What FERPA Means to Parents

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It applies to schools that receive federal funding.

Once a student turns 18, this law governs the release of student grades and other information that parents may want to know about his college experience. There are ways parents can attain such information, but typically that is the result of the student signing a release that waives his privacy rights so the parent can see information (e.g. grades) and discuss particular matters. The law allows an institution to disclose student records without consent in particular situations, especially emergencies that affect student health, well-being, or status at the College.

What Are Some Examples of Situations Where the College Contacts Parents?

It is fairly rare that you will be contacted by Wheelock College. However, there are occasions that warrant either written or verbal communication with parents, depending on the seriousness of the case-namely, related to health and well-being or disciplinary matters.

Health and Well-Being

To the extent possible and lawful under the circumstances, if a student is gravely ill or injured, or if she poses an imminent threat to self or others, parents or guardians will be notified. In most situations, if the students is able to contact you herself, we encourage her to do so.

Disciplinary Matters

Except in unusual circumstances, Wheelock College will seek to notify parents and guardians of judicial issues involving their dependent students as follows: in an emergency; in most serious cases, including drug related matters; and, in most cases of repeated referral of a student or adjudication of misconduct. Except in unusual circumstances and consistent with federal law, Wheelock College will seek to notify parents to guardians of judicial issues involving their non-dependent students as follows: in an emergency; after final adjudication and finding of responsibility in most drug-related offenses: and, after final adjudication and finding of responsibility in most repeated alcohol offenses.