Freshman 101 Parents Orientation CCM

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Freshman 101 - Parents Orientation (CCM)

• Alsace Rodgers Touré, M.Ed.
• Assistant Director Academic
• Learning Assistance Center
• [phone] Office
• Web www.uc.edu/learningassistance

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WELCOME TO THE.
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Differences Between High School
College

• Personal Freedom
• Classes
• Teachers/Professors
• Studying
• Testing
• Grades

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Examples of 6 Differences Between High School
College

• Student is told their responsibilities, HS is
  mandatory and free
• Class attendance monitored, classes arranged,
  proceed from one class directly to another
• Teachers approach you when you need assistance,
  provide you with missed information, present
  material to help you understand book
• Study 2 hours a week, read short assignments,
  told what you need to learn
• Testing is frequent, covering small amounts of
  material, tests are rearranged for school events,
  make-up tests available
• Grades primarily rest on homework assignments,
  effort counts

• Determine own responsibilities, college is
  optional and expensive
• Class attendance sometimes monitored, students
  arrange classes, varied class schedule
• Professors expect you to ask for assistance, get
  missed notes from classmates, may not follow
  textbook
• Study 2-3 hours for each class, substantial
  amount of reading and writing
• Testing is infrequent, cumulative, covers large
  amount of material, make ups seldom
• Grades primarily rest on major tests/papers,
  results count

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1st Year Transitions
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Freshman Facts

• 2 hours of study time
• An average quarterly 15-17 credit hours (about
  5-7 classes)
• Maintain a GPA of 2.0 to be in good academic
  standing with their college.
• Completion of 45 credit hours each academic year

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The Life of A Freshman

• Common Emotional Conflicts of University Students
• The conflicts and stress described are examples
  of what a student might experience during their
  first year at a college or university.
• Not all students have these experiences.

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September

• Values crisis Students may be confronted with
  questions of conscience over values conflicts in
  areas such as race, drugs and alcohol
  experimentation, morality, religion and social
  and sexual expectations.
• Feelings of inadequacy and inferiority may
  develop because of discrepancy between high
  school status, grades, and initial college
  performance.
• Students may feel depressed because of real or
  perceived restrictive policies and regulations of
  the college.
• Culture Shock may confuse the student because
  of too many new experiences and new situations.
• Stress can develop from financial problems in
  buying books and other needed materials.
• Decision making problems may develop because of
  lack of organizational skills.
• Time pressures often occur to students who have
  to mix academic schedules with job requirements.

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October

• Freshman sometimes begin to realize that life at
  college is not as perfect as they were led to
  believe by parents, teachers, and counselors.
  Old problems seem to continue and new ones are
  added.
• Depression may occur if student does not feel as
  if he/she can fit in.
• Mid-term workload pressures can be followed by
  feelings of failure and loss of self-esteem.
• Sexual conflicts and confusion result when
  confronting, for the first time, different
  heterosexual standards and homosexuality.
• Non-dating students can experience a loss of
  esteem because so much value is placed upon
  dates. For women who do date, the pressure to
  perform sexually increases and consequently
  increases feelings of rejection, loneliness, and
  guilt.

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November

• Academic Pressure often begins to mount because
  of procrastination, difficulty of work, and lack
  of ability.
• Depression and anxiety often increase because of
  feelings that one should have adjusted to the
  college environment by now.
• Economic anxiety Funds from parents, grants and
  loans may begin to run out loans become due.
• Some students have ceased to make attempts at
  establishing new friendships beyond two or three
  parasitic (of or relating to, or typical of a
  parasite) relationships.
• Anxiety, fear, and guilt can increase as final
  examinations approach and papers are due.

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December

• Extracurricular time strain seasonal parties,
  concerts, social service projects, and religious
  activities can drain student energies.
• Drug and alcohol use can increase.
• Pre-Christmas depression especially for those
  who have concerns for or conflicts with family.
• Financial strain can occur because of Christmas
  gifts and travel costs.

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Academic Excellence Support Services (AESS)

• Disability Services Office
• Will certify students with disabilities to
  receive services such as
• Disability related counseling
• Audio books
• Note takers
• Interpreters
• Extended Time on Tests
• Contact the office early before testing or
  visiting 556-6823/TTY 556-3277

• Learning Assistance Center
• Cincinnati Pride Grant Academic Support
• Peer Mentor Program
• Supplemental Instruction (SI)
• Study Strategies Assessment Advising
• Self Help Study Skills Resources
• Tutoring Services
• FREE Individual Tutoring
• FREE Online Tutoring SMARTHINKING
• Contact the office at 556-3244 for more
  information.

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Students should

• Learn How to Schedule Quarterly Classes
• Visit each professor at least 4 times per quarter
• Meet with Academic Advisor
• Get to know at least two professors very well
• Seek tutoring assistance early

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FERPA Records Privacy

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
  (FERPA)
• Designed to protect the privacy of student
  educational records
• Establishes the right of students to inspect and
  review their educational records
• Provides guidelines for the correction of
  inaccurate or misleading data
• Outlines what student information universities
  may release, to whom, and under what
  circumstances.
• What this means for Parents
• Under FERPA, records privacy rights transfer from
  the parents to the student once the student
  reaches18 years of age or once he/she enrolls in
  an institution of higher learning.
• In either scenario, FERPA then regards parents as
  3rd parties.
• Record release to all 3rd parties requires the
  students prior written and signed consent.
• Parents may obtain student information at the
  discretion of the University, ONLY IF
• The parents can provide the Registrars Office
  with a copy of their most recently submitted
  federal tax return establishing the student
  as their financial dependent
• or
• The student provides the Registrars Office
  with his or her signed consent (the student can
  rescind this in writing at any time).
  Students should contact the Registrars Office
  for details.

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Make Good Use of the Summer!

• Learn about technology needed for college and
  practice using it
• Set goals for the upcoming year
• Practice various techniques to reduce and/or
  combat stress
• Purchase books during Orientation (keep
  receipts!)
• Make contact with your future roommate(s)
• Transfer prescription drugs to local pharmacy
• Mark all of your tapes, cds with your initials
• Purchase your computer thru the university
• Purchase insurance for your campus belongings
• Attend convocation and welcome week programs

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Tips for Parents From A Students
Perspective Adapted from the National
Orientation Directors Association Manual

• Dont ask if they are homesick.
• The power of suggestion is enormous!
• Write often and regularly.
• An empty mailbox is a disappointment!
• Ask questions, but not too many.
• The same rules that worked in high school work
  now!
• Expect change, but not too much.
• Your student will change, thats natural and
  inevitable!
• Dont worry (too much) about those Nothing is
  right telephone calls and letters.
• Try to remind yourself that you are providing the
  same service as before advice dispenser,
  sympathetic ear, or sounding board. Only now the
  service is long distance.

• Visit, but not too often.
• Shopping sprees and lunch are nice, but remember
  the student has established new time commitments
  and a surprise visit may be too much.
• Dont say these are the best years of your
  life.
• The college years are full of indecision,
  insecurity and disappointments, as well as good
  times and triumphs. The best times are usually
  recognized long after they occur.
• Put trust at the forefront.
• Youve worked hard to help your student develop
  independent decision-making and critical thinking
  skills. This is the time for practice, resist
  the urge to second guess your student!

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Success Tips for Parents

• Check in with your student on a regular weekly
  basis
• Keep a copy of their quarterly class schedule at
  home
• Get a copy of each class syllabi
• Provide your student with a planner or large 2-3
  month calendar
• Keep a list of campus resources at home
  encourage your student to visit the appropriate
  office (list provided in handout!)
• Encourage student to work on campus and get
  involved in activities
• Get involved in the (University of Cincinnati
  Parent Association (UCPA)

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