What can I do to help my child from a distance?
Here are some ways you can enhance your child’s experience at UT Dallas.
- Stay in touch. Even though your student is experimenting with independent choices, he or she still needs to know that you are there and are available to talk over both everyday events as well as more difficult issues.
- Allow space for your child to set the agenda for some of your conversations. If he or she needs help or support, the subject is more likely to come up if you are not inquiring pointedly about things.
- Be realistic with your college student about financial matters. Being specific at the outset may help avoid misunderstandings later. It is important for students to come to school with a fairly detailed plan about how tuition, fees, books, and room and board will be paid for, and what the family’s expectations are about spending money.
- Be realistic about academic achievement and grades. Not every freshman who excelled academically in high school will be an all-A student throughout college. Developing or refining the capacity to work independently and consistently, and the ability to demonstrate mastery can be more important than grades. If your student is meeting the basic academic requirements set out by the University, they are in good shape.
- Encourage him or her to take advantage of the wealth of resources available for students. If your child experiences difficulties at UT Dallas, they can get support and guidance from campus services such as the Student Counseling Center, Career Center, AccessAbility Resource Center, Student Wellness Center, Student Health Center, etc.