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Parent Advice

Best Advice You Gave to Your Student

Academics

  • We made her aware that everyone coming to the U-M would be excellent students and therefore, she may not get all A’s in her classes like she is accustomed to getting but don’t worry, just try your best, and we are very proud of her.
  • Try any courses that seem interesting. Explore possibilities to expand your horizon. You are at the U-M where the selection is limitless.
  • Don’t stress about your major. You will likely change it at least once.
  • The course workload is going to be far more than what you encountered in high school (even with multiple AP classes). DO NOT assume that you can just “slide by” because the material appears to be easy; much will be demanded even from 100-level courses and the competition will be great.
  • Be self-motivated; utilize the enormous resources at U-M, and go after what you want.
  • I encouraged my son to go to his advisors as much as possible when he had a question. This has been helpful to him; he seems to relate well to his advisor and has confidence in him.
  • Don’t try to fulfill all requirements at once.
  • Stay focused. Have fun but stay focused.
  • To take advantage of all the help and resources made available; to understand that it is normal to need some assistance and not a sign that he doesn’t have what it takes to succeed. He found it especially helpful to utilize the service that reads and edits papers [Sweetland Writing Center]—it helped him understand what is expected from college level writing.
  • Try to seek out smaller classes.
  • Take full advantage of study groups and TA’s. Don’t wait until the end of the semester.
  • To keep up with her work as much as possible and not to fall behind. The semester goes very fast.
  • Go to office hours.
  • Ask questions.
  • Enjoy your time and view the experience as one to explore all of your options academically. Take some risks in your course selections. Work hard, but don’t forget to smell the flowers.

Financial

  • Purchase rather than rent a refrigerator and microwave, it’s cheaper.
  • Don’t apply for any credit cards.
  • Get a job in the dorm.
  • My child was responsible for her own spending money so we advised her to set up a budget taking the money she had and dividing it by semester and weeks. She has done very well with it, not overspending.

Personal

  • Balance your study time and fun time, and there will be enough of both.
  • You will have problems with your roommate. Stick it out. It is part of growing up.
  • If you don’t like your roommates or hallmates, remember there are 35,000 other people to meet.
  • Experience new cultures; learn all you can; make new friends and taste some “reality of the real world.”
  • Rooming ‘blind’ has its pros and cons. We shared our college experiences of roommate dilemmas and explained that there are different ways to approach situations and to take each day as it comes.
  • We stressed the importance of maintaining her faith life and the values she had established for herself.
  • I told her that part of her learning as a freshmen would be to learn how to balance academics, 24/7 talk time in the dorm, and athletics.
  • We advised our daughter to go into the room pool ‘blind’ and she has made a lifelong friend.
  • Even if you are generally happy, expect there to be ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ as you adjust to your first semester.
  • Be prepared for others’ value systems and call whenever you need a shoulder to unload on or to share positive news.
  • To get a job working 10 hours a week.
  • Network with other students in your class.
  • Call any time.
  • Never to lose your ‘self’—who you are and the values you believe in.
  • Be your own person. You will eventually find others just like you.
  • Take advantage of various campus activities; join a group; attend classes! Steer away from those using alcohol or drugs. Eat well!
  • You are not ‘moving out,’ you are going to school. Home is right here. Anytime.
  • It takes work and much networking to discover a social niche.
  • No matter what—you will have our love and support. We’re here if you need us.
  • Keep using your own good judgment. We trust you.
  • No matter how stressed or what grade was received, don’t lose your perspective on what’s really important in life.
  • Organize your time.
  • Go with a positive attitude. Try your best.
  • What to look forward to—pros and cons.
  • To expect a wide variety of emotions and changes in the first year.
  • Be independent.
  • Tell me anything—good or bad.
  • Ask for help—me or someone else.
  • Expect the unexpected.

Safety/Alcohol/Drugs

  • You must give your child all the skills needed—safety, relationships, drug awareness—long before college. It’s too late if you wait until dropping him or her off.
  • Remember the ‘buddy’ system. Never drink anything that you have not poured, uncapped, or opened yourself.
  • Don’t get complacent about safety.
  • To check out insurance to make sure it will cover stolen items from his dorm room.
  • Steer clear of bad influences.
  • Don’t be forced into drinking more than you want to—you can say NO.
  • Always lock your dorm room door when you leave.