Tips for Parents And Family Members

Help your student find the path to student success by encouraging them to:

• Introduce themselves to faculty and staff;
• Attend classes and practice good time management (develop a weekly calendar with plenty of time devoted to studying);
• Create and stick to a reasonable budget (a campus job helps);
• Pay attention to illness or injury;
• Communicate expectations and needs with their roommate;
• Approach the Resident Assistant if roommate issues cannot be resolved through direct communication;
• Make time for physical exercise and good nutrition;
• Make new acquaintances and build friendships with peers who have similar goals and interests;
• Seek out and learn from those who are different from them, including family background, culture, race, values, and other aspects of identity;
• Ask for help as soon as it is needed, and connect with their academic advisor or student success navigator;
• Communicate regularly with trusted family and friends;
• Build a plan for making the most of college to support their future pursuits;
• Attend career exploration events and develop a Handshake profile to connect with alumni for career exploration.

Be a great knowledge base by doing your homework and being aware of the following resources:

• See list of Oxford and regional campuses offices.
• Get connected with Career Services by visiting its parent webpage.

Talk regularly with and support your student by:

• Encouraging your student to prioritize studying and academic work;
• Sharing your experiences (including past mistakes, but not glorifying stories of alcohol overconsumption);
• Helping your student to problem-solve and work through challenges (rather than you solving the issues for him or her);
• Encouraging your student to be open to new places, ideas and perspectives, and a diverse circle of friends;
• Reporting in a timely manner to the Dean of Students or Office of Parent & Family Programs any emotional, physical, or financial traumas that may influence your son or daughter;
• Being patient, because learning never ends.