Starting university is a big step for even the most well-organised and confident teenagers. It’s important to be aware of how to survive – and even thrive – and some of the steps are not all that difficult. They can be easy to overlook though.
Parents can do a lot to help their teenagers transition successfully into tertiary scene. Here are some of the most important ways to support your teenager.
Support
As much as possible, parents need to allow teenagers to take control and handle issues themselves. Tasks such as choosing electives online and completing the mountain of online documents should be left in the hands of students themselves.
How can parents help?
Privately google and be aware of deadlines for accepting a course, formally enrolling in classes etc. Try to keep an eye on how your teenager is coping and if you detect that he is not coping, or is procrastinating, offer to read over documents and be around as a sounding board as he logs on and starts the formal processes. Enrolling and choosing subjects should be fun and exciting. If your teenager looks lost or unhappy, here are a few questions to ask. (Choose a time when he/she is relaxed and more likely to chat.)
- Do the subjects/majors look interesting? Could I have a look at them with you?
- What are you looking forward to the most?
- Are there any questions you need answered before classes start?
- Is there anything I can do to help out?
- Are any of your friends going to the same university as you? Have you asked them what subjects they are choosing?
Orientation week activities
It is crucial that students attend these days as this is where a lot of information is covered about classes, assessment and other important new processes.
How can parents help?
- Encourage your teenager to attend these days. Explain that you have read about how important they are.
- Google to find an outline of activities at the institution your teenager will be attending.
Making friends
An inability to make friends at the new institution is the major reason students fall behind and drop out. Loneliness prevents students from even wanting to attend lectures and falling behind is so easy.
How can parents help?
- Google to find a list of all of the amazing clubs and societies at the university. Show your teenager saying that you wish you were going to university! ‘You would love some of these clubs. You are really good at sport and there are amazing new sports you could learn. They even have fencing and rock climbing.’
- While new friends are essential, keeping in contact with high school friends is equally important. Offer to have a BBQ so that the best friends from school can come around on the weekend.
First assignments
Many confident students are quite nervous about their first university assignment. What standard is expected? Will I be able to even pass? I’m not even sure what the question is asking? I don’t know how to even start! Many students will not share these uncertainties with parents as they feel that they are somehow failing everyone.
How can parents help?
- Casually mention that first assignments at university can be very different from school assignments and ask whether you could read through the guidelines.
- Ensure that questions are casual and not threatening…
‘This looks interesting…have you thought about how to start?’
‘I’ve heard that students often email or call their uni tutor or lecturer before starting to check that they are on the right path. Are you going to do this?’ (Students can make contact and tutors and lecturers are happy to help. They want students to be happy.)
‘When is this due? Can you contact another student in the course before you start? Do you have a tutorial coming up soon?’
First results
Be prepared for the possibility that your teenager’s first university assignment will not receive the grade that she was used to receiving at high school.
How can parents help?
- Before results are available, casually drop into conversation the fact that most students are not over the moon about the results of their first few assignments. This is exactly like starting a new job. We all have to adjust and get to know what is expected in various tasks and responsibilities.
- Casually let your teenager know that there is a lot of FREE study support at every university. Here are just a few support structures at several universities…
Monash University
Study Programs – A huge number in areas such as: Staying Motivated, Exambusters, Stress Management and Polish up Your Grammar
https://www.monash.edu/students/study-resources/programs
Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)
https://www.monash.edu/about/mentoring/peer-assisted-study-sessions-pass
Deakin University
Study Support Guides, Referencing and Academic Integrity, Deakin Language and Learning Advisers, Online tutoring and writing feedback as well as Deakin student writing and maths mentors.
https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support
Central Queensland University
Studiosity – free online help, Peer assisted study sessions and Learning support.
https://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/academic-learning-centre
UNSW
Help is offered with referencing, writing skills and critical thinking, reading and note taking and exam preparation…
https://student.unsw.edu.au/skills
Finally…
Make sure your teenager knows that you are proud of the fact that he has been accepted into university. Make sure he also knows that this is just the first few weeks and months and that it will take time to settle in and get used to this new and exciting scene.