Your support is your teenager’s most important resource. It doesn't matter whether or not you went to college - by encouraging your children and assuring them that college is important and that they can succeed, you can help them far more than anyone else.
Prepare them for what to expect
The college environment gives students a tremendous amount of freedom. No one is monitoring their progress on a daily basis. Often, no one is checking to see if they are going to class, and no one knows whether they’re doing the assignments. Your teenagers should be prepared to do most of their learning on their own when they begin college. Self-motivation and discipline are important factors in successfully completing college level courses. The general rule is: For every one hour spent in class, college students should spend two hours out of class reading, studying, and completing assignments.
Let them do it on their own
Early College Start students are treated no differently than any other Austin Community College student. There are no parent conferences, and any communication regarding ACC students is restricted due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). College is the time for parents to make the transition from being the primary advocate to becoming a supporter. Help your teenagers learn by instilling the message that their academic success depends on their taking responsibility for their own education and behavior.
Discover all that ACC has to offer
Support systems are available at Austin Community College, such as learning labs, free tutoring, career planning, transfer services, and computer access, but students must seek out the services, ask for the help, and follow through. You can make sure your teenager finds out about all the resources available through Student Services.
