Parental Involvement and Academic Achievement

It's more common than you'd think: once the excitement of starting college dies down and the reality sinks in, many parents find themselves on one side of a worrying phone call from their children. Homesickness, upcoming midterms, and other concerns can cause students to second-guess themselves. These worries may make parents wonder how and when to take the reins.

Does your student need you to jump in, or do they need someone to lean on for a while? When should you offer to help, and when should you sit on the sidelines? How do you support their academic achievement from afar while treating them like an adult?

The good news is that the right support does seem to work. Students whose parents are more involved in their college lives have a higher chance of finishing college and finding a well-paying job. Your support can also ensure that your child has the emotional stability needed to succeed in school.

If you're wondering how to help empower your student, here's what you should know.

Keep Listening

Above all else, make yourself available and listen to your student.

Often, students will call their parents to vent about their coursework, their professors, their grades, and other challenging aspects of their academic lives. Many times, this will be an effort to get these challenges off their chest. They won't always need you to jump in with a solution, nor will they expect you to get angry or defensive on their behalf. 

Instead, practice active listening. Ask questions and show your curiosity and interest. Guide your child if needed, especially if they're requesting help, but be ready to let them think out loud and come up with their own solutions as well.

Know Your Legal Rights

Many parents who drop a child off for college may face a new and unwanted surprise. Though you once had easy access to your student's academic information during their elementary and high school years, you won't have the same privilege of parental control now that they're older.

Universities will not release information about grades to parents without legal permission from the student. This is a result of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Your student bears full responsibility for their academic achievements. However, as their parent or guardian, you still have immense influence over this achievement, especially using the tactics we'll discuss below.

Help With Time Management

Not all new college students need parental guidance when it comes to time management, but many will. After the rigid schedule of high school, some students have trouble adjusting to a college schedule. These schedules offer much more freedom, but they can be a challenge to get used to, and some students flounder at first. 

If your child seems to struggle to maintain their academic schedule, ask them questions about their time management.

Prompt them to use a planner or calendar to keep track of times and dates. They should look at their school's academic calendar and their class syllabi for important dates. In addition, many students find it helpful to block out specific times to study throughout the week.

You may also want to ask questions about your student's sleep schedule. Many students who struggle to manage their coursework find themselves up late at night. One "all-nighter" won't put their health at risk, but a frequent lack of sleep can affect their cognition, mood, and emotions.

Keep in mind that you shouldn't attempt to pry here; you're just asking questions. The goal is to prompt your student to think about these things for themselves. At the same time, you should help them understand that you care for their well-being, academic and otherwise.

Guide Them to Academic Resources

It's easy for students to grow overwhelmed by the wealth of options when starting their college education. During orientation and the weeks afterward, they may have so much new information shoved in their faces that they can't keep up with it all.

That's why it's helpful for parents to know about academic resources as well. Stay on top of the tools and services available to students, both on campus and off of it.

Campus Support Systems

Most schools have countless systems in place to support students in virtually any academic situation.

An academic advisor, for example, can help students who face issues with coursework or who have difficulties with a specific professor. The office of disability services can help students get accommodations or ensure that professors take those accommodations into account.

Most colleges will also have an academic support center that offers help via essay writing, library and learning resources, tutoring, workshops, and more. Students may even forget about resources as simple as their instructors' office hours!

If your student seems to be struggling in any specific areas, remind them about any relevant services their campus offers. If needed, you can even help them plan which questions to ask and what results they want from the conversation.

Other Resources

Beyond your child's campus, you may be able to help them by pointing out resources outside of their school. Parents can help with everything from researching textbook rentals to networking for internships to fill school requirements. You can also encourage them to join the Honor Society in recognition of their academic success!

Know the Signs of Stress

Some college students place a great deal of academic pressure on themselves. At times, this pressure can become stressful. Worse, it can lead to exhaustion, burnout, depression, and other mental health crises.

Though it can be hard when you're far from your child, be on the lookout for the following signs of stress. 

Academic Disinterest

Sometimes, students may suddenly stop meeting academic expectations. They may miss classes, fail to turn in papers, or perform poorly on exams. 

Withdrawal From Social Support

Students may withdraw from contact with family members or friends. They may miss calls, stay in their rooms, or avoid social events. 

Lack of Self-Care

Students who put their academic wellness above all else may struggle to perform self-care. They may make unhealthy food choices, for example, or they may fail to take care of basic hygiene.

Substance Abuse

More frequent use of alcohol and other substances can also be a sign of stress. This is especially true if the change is sudden or if the student is using the substances alone outside of a social setting.

Addressing Your Child's Stress

While you shouldn't worry if you notice the occasional missed class or a one-off night of drinking, be sure to consider your child's overall pattern of behavior.

If you believe your student is struggling, have an open, non-judgmental conversation with them about your concerns. Let them know you're there to help. Explain that you don't want their physical or mental health to suffer.

Listen to their concerns, discuss their options, and collaborate on what might need to change. More than likely, you'll need to continue having these difficult conversations as you help your child overcome their stress.

If you believe your child is in the middle of a significant mental health crisis, always contact campus authorities right away.  

Treat Them Like an Adult

Last, but not least, make sure you treat your college student like an adult.

College has a way of challenging and empowering children to grow. However, that can become difficult when a student feels like their parent is hovering over them to solve problems and direct them. 

With your encouragement, your child should work to set and achieve their own academic goals. They should follow up with professors, mentors, and advisors about the academic track for their chosen career path. They should be able to manage their own schedule and coursework.

Your support is invaluable to your child during this part of their education, but they are ultimately responsible for their own success. The best you can do is communicate, encourage them to take care of their mental and physical health, and let them know that trust them to make the most of their new agency as a young adult.

Support Your Child's Academic Achievement

Every parent wants their child to succeed, but there's a fine line between being encouraging and becoming overbearing. When it comes to academic achievement, there's plenty a parent can do to help their student while supporting their independence. Use the tips above as a parental guide for your child's college education!

If you're seeking ways to support your child, be sure to take a look at the other helpful posts on our blog.