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 Office of the Vice Provost
 for Student Success
 Strong Hall
 1450 Jayhawk Blvd
 Rm 133
 Lawrence, Kansas 66045
(785) 864-4060
(785) 864-4050
vpss@ku.edu

Parenting Tips and Suggestions

Quotes from KU Parents

Jeff Adkins, Lenexa  Kansas
"The University has incredible resources that can only help your child succeed at this level, and that can help you as the parent of a college student. Take some time to research all the resources that are offered. There is tutoring, writing assistance, financial assistance and too many more to list. Learn what is available so that you can make suggestions when a need arises. New students have so much going on that I have found that sometimes they just don't have the time to seek out all the opportunities that may be available." 

Kelly Carithers, Springdale, Arkansas
"As the parent of an out of state student, I would strongly recommend your student open a local bank account. The convenience and ease of access to cash in addition to the savings on fee charges for ATM withdrawals made it cost effective. In addition, I found it promoted our student’s responsible money management."

Kelly Carithers, Springdale, Arkansas
"My student learned right away to make note of a teacher’s office hours and to use that time to acquaint himself with the teacher by stopping by and asking questions or reviewing a test. In the larger classes, the personal contact is important and  making the effort for such contact is the responsibility of the student. My student found the teachers’ willingness to meet during office hours to be very positive, helpful and fostered a sense of genuine interest in student performance. This relationship between teacher and student is very different from most high school experiences and may be a bit intimidating to some students."

Sarah Razak, Hays, Kansas
"Attending New Student Orientation was the most beneficial to me as a parent. I received written information I could refer back to, personal contact with staff, and the small group sessions answered many questions. I’ve found that care packages are a great surprise for your student once they have moved into the residence hall."

Gerilyn Gordon, Houston, Texas
"My son found that KU offered many services aimed at helping a student be successful. He found group tutoring as well as graduate students willing to tutor on an individual basis, and these were very helpful. He also found his professors very welcoming and happy to talk to him about any questions or problems he was having in the class. He always felt like he had a resource."

Diana Neal, Osawatomie, Kansas
"K.U. is a very large school, but I have found help and answers anytime that I needed them. From the time my sons considered going to school at K.U., to the past six years that I have had a student at K.U., I have had many questions. I obtained a lot of information at senior days and orientations. Any time else I have needed anything from financial aid to information about the Watkins Health Center resources, I have visited the school's website, picked up the phone, or made a visit. There are so many resources available to students and parents. I have found everyone to be so helpful. I have been very pleased with my experiences at The University of Kansas." 

Evelyn Acosta-Weirich, Iowa City, Iowa
"Encourage your student to meet new and different people. My daughter, who is an out of state student, was struck by how many of the KU students went home every week to be with their high school friends, or who only hang out with their high school friends at KU. My somewhat shy daughter was in a situation where she had to meet new people and try new experiences, and even she agrees it was the best thing for her. She is now an active and productive student, with many friends from across the country."

Top Ten Tips for Helping Your Student Succeed at KU

  1. Encourage your student to visit the KU Writing Center and the resources of the Academic Achievement and Access Center (AAAC). To learn more about the wealth of resources at the KU Writing Center visit: www.writing.ku.edu. To learn more about AAAC, visit: www.achievement.ku.edu.

  2. Suggest your student become involved in one of the many clubs and organizations on campus. To learn more about student involvement visit: www.silc.ku.edu.

  3. Share your expectation about alcohol/drug choices. To learn more visit: www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeParents/.

  4. Talk to your student about finances, budgeting and credit card usage. To learn more about personal finance visit: www.hcci-ks.org/.

  5. Encourage your student to think about a career and a major. To learn more about finding a major and the many career choices visit: www.advising.ku.edu/~advising/choosemajor/.

  6. Keep the lines of communication open; yet, let them become their own problem solver. To learn more about your new role visit: http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i13/13b02001.htm.

  7. Visit your student and let him or her show you their new home. To learn about Family Day, visit: www.familyweekend.ku.edu/.

  8. Expect your student to change while at KU. To learn more about the effect college has on a student, visit: http://pewforum.org/events/?EventID=168.

  9. Remind your student about the importance of going to class and being prepared. To learn more about academic success, visit: www.achievement.ku.edu/Academic_Success_Handouts.shtml.

  10. If you think your student needs more help than you can give long distance, remind them that successful students use campus resources, including the Counseling and Psychological Services. To learn more visit: www.caps.ku.edu/~caps/selfhelp/refer2.shtml.

Books on Parenting the College Student

Listed below are several books we recommend that are filled with useful information, helpful stories, and excellent advice. For your convenience you may special order them through Oread Books at oreadbooks@ku.edu.

  • Letting GoLetting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years
    By Karen Coburn & Madge Treeger
    Quill Publishing: 4th Edition (April 2003).
     
     
     
     
  • Don't Tell Me What To DoDon't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money: The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years
    By Helen Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller
    St. Martin's Griffin: May 2000.
     
     
     
     
  • You're On Your OwnYou're On Your Own (But I'm Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years
    By Marjorie Savage
    Simon & Schuster; July 2003.
     
     
     
     
  • Empty NestEmpty Nest...Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College
    By Andrea Van Steenhouse
    Simpler Life Press; 2nd Edition (April 2002).
     
     
     
     
  • In Addition to TuitionIn Addition to Tuition: The Parents' Survival Guide to Freshman Year of College
    By Marian Edelman Borden, Marry Anne Burlinson, and Elsie R. Kearns
    Checkmark Books; 1996.
     
     
     
  • When Your Kid Goes to CollegeWhen Your Kid Goes to College: A Parents' Survival Guide
    By Carol Barkin
    Harper Collins; March 1999.
     
     
     
     
  • Almost GrownAlmost Grown: Launching Your Child from High School to College
    By Patricia Pasick
    W.W. Norton & Company; 2nd Edition (March 1998).