"10 Things Parents of a College Freshman Need to Know"

1.  College is usually harder than high school and your son or daughter may study as hard or harder, but not make the same grades as in high school.

2.  The friends and habits a student develops during the first three weeks often determine their whole college career.  Make sure they understand the importance of starting right with a clear set of priorities.  Students can shipwreck their college career and even their entire life during this brief time.

3.  Seven (7) out of ten (10) high school seniors active in church make No Spiritual Connections while in college.  If this is a priority in your family, discuss how to make it part of the first 3 weeks.  Many do not intentionally turn away from their faith; it just gets lost in the beginning with all the busyness.  If you encourage and expect good grades, why not encourage faith connections?

4.  Parents cannot see or receive their son or daughter's grades without a signed form that can be obtained from the Registrar's Office.  This is part of federal privacy laws. It does not matter that you are paying the bill.

5.  Students who live in dorms tend to make better grades according to national studies.  It is all about being connected to college life and feeling like a college student.  Students living away from campus can feel isolated and alone, especially in freshman year.

6.  National studies also show that students who are active in campus organizations are more likely to stay in school and graduate.  Again, it is about being connected and feeling connected.  Obviously, this is where ministries like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry are a huge plus.

7.  A recent study shows that students tend to marry someone they date!  Really!!

8.  You should know where your son or daughter lives at school and how to contact them there or how someone else could contact them (dorm and room number, apartment and number....not just cell phone.).

9.  The average is for a student to change their major 3 to 4 times.  That is why it is best to take required basics the first semester or two.  This allows time for adjustment and further determination of a major.

10. Psychologists say the two greatest times of change in a person's life are birth to age one and high school graduation to Christmas.  That is why it is so important to stay connected and involved during this time.  But, avoid making all their decisions for them.  Learning to make decisions and choices are part of the adulting process of college.

SOME SUGGESSTIONS: 

-Make sure the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, another ministry, or a college ministry church has your son or daughter's contact information prior to school starting.  Where they go at the start determines who they meet and make connections.

-If your son or daughter will be living at home, do not ask them to function on the home schedule of meals, etc.  Consider buying a meal ticket on campus or depositing to an account where this money can be used on campus for food.  This is not only convenient, but it helps them connect more to campus and "feel like" a college student.

-If joining a fraternity or sorority is something that might be an option, consider the possibility of delaying that until after the first semester.  This allows time to really know what a group is like and to adjust to class, etc.

-Make sure your student understands that if they plan to drop a class, it is important to officially drop it...not just stop going.  HOWEVER, if a student drops below twelve (12) hours most schools do NOT consider them full time and scholarships, etc become null and void. In some instances, they must move out of dorms or other school housing.  Also, a student's car insurance can become null and void if they are not a full time student.

Want MORE Help for your Freshman? Arliss Dickerson's book, Tips for College Freshmen:  124 Tips for Fun, Faith and Good Grades, is available at  Amazon.com/dp/B09QFB9DJ9