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Just For Parents
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What To Expect
The first year of college can be very exciting, yet challenging, experience.
Students may be leaving home for the first time and may be feeling a great deal
of anxiety about the exploration, affirmation, and independence that lies ahead.
The parent’s role during this time is an integral part of the experience. How
you respond to your student’s concerns can have a great impact on his or her
adjustment and success.
Being a parent of a first-year college student can be difficult at times. You may
have feelings of frustration and helplessness. Parents must be prepared to listen
and answer such concerns as "I don’t like my roommate" or "this professor doesn't
like me," or even "I want to come home." These are common first-year students'
statements and can play an important part of the valuable process your students
will undertake while establishing independence.
Parents should challenge themselves to be supportive while still allowing their
student to take the proper steps towards adulthood. A common term used at colleges
and universities is "empowerment," which, in this context, means to provide students
with the skills and resources needed to make responsible decisions. Even while at
home, parents play an important role in the process.
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Common Concerns Of First Year Students
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Homesickness
Most students at one time or another experience homesickness.
It is common for first-year students to feel it, especially
during the first six weeks on campus. Parents can help by
listening to their student and validating his or her feelings,
offering to come and visit their son or daughter instead of
having him or her come home, and/or encouraging their student to
speak to a residence hall staff member or the counseling center.
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"There is nothing to do here"
First-year college students may have difficult time getting
involved at first. Although students do have to take some
initiative, opportunities to get involved are available at
virtually every corner- intramural activities, student leadership
organizations, athletic teams and events, and social functions.
If your student complains that he or she has nothing to do,
please refer him or her to the Student Government Association
office in the Russell Union, which will provide a complete
listing of Georgia Southern activities and organizations. A
number of involvement opportunities are also available through
the Residence Hall Actions Teams, Presidents’ Council, and the
Residence Hall Judicial Board, for example. Residence hall staffs
regularly offer social and educational programs right in the
building, giving students an opportunity to interact with their
neighbors and learn skills that can help in class performance.
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Academic Anxiety
Academic anxiety is a problem for many first-year students.
College coursework is very different then curriculum in most
high schools. Common anxieties among college students include
time and priority management, scholarships pressures, and the
structural differences between a typically college and high
school days.
If you sense that your student is experience anxiety related to
his or her classes to course work, a number of resources are
available on campus to help: class instructors, Resident
Advisors, the Academic Success Center and the Counseling Center,
for example. Don’t know where to start? The Academic Enhancement
Coordinator for University Housing can direct you or your
student to available resources on campus. For more information,
call 912-478-5406.
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Roommate Conflicts
When two people live in closet quarters, conflict is bound to
arise. Quite often conflicts arise because roommates fail to
communicate their expectations. If your student has a problem
with a roommate, encourage him or her to sit down and calmly
discuss the situation with his or her roommate. If you feel the
individuals involved need assistance resolving their conflict,
refer them to the Resident Advisor, Building Director, or
Coordinator of Resident Education. Staff will attempt to first
resolve any conflicts with a roommate agreement. Most students
find it extremely beneficial to complete a Roommate Agreement at
the beginning of the school year. The Roommate agreement is a
tool in which all roommates sit down together and discuss rules
for the room. Establishing parameters at the beginning of the
year helps set tone for the remainder of the year. If necessary,
an RA or the building director may participate as mediator if
necessary. The Roommate Agreement becomes extension to the
Student Conduct Code should problems arise. For staff member
names and phone numbers, check the University Housing website at
www.gsuhousing.com.
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Additionally..
University Housing also offers various programs throughout the
year that serve as a service to you and a fundraiser for our
student groups. They include a Birthday Program, Valentines
Program, and Exam-A-Gram Program. These programs allow you to
send well wishes from home for the special dates in your son or
daughter’s life. Please visit
www.gsuhousing.com and
click on the parents section for more information on ordering
items for your child's birthday, exam preparation, and
Valentines Day.
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Finally..
Parents seeking to take part in their students' experiences while they attend Georgia Southern University
may wish to become involved with the Parents Association at Georgia Southern. More information about
the Parents Association may be found at http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/parent/parents_association.htm.
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