Information for Parents and Guardians
Tips for Parents/Guardians
At Chowan University, we are committed to providing a personalized, affordable education that fits the needs of your students. Parents and guardians play an important role in helping students find a good fit and select a university to further their education. The information on this page is intended to direct you to resources that can help with your decision-making process and provide support throughout and beyond their enrollment. As you and your student prepare for college there will be a lot of expectations and emotions. Please know that we are here to help.
We encourage parents and guardians to visit campus with their students and to be involved and supportive of their student's educational endeavors. Here are a few tips to help provide parent support:
Communicate
Whether they are seeking your advice or simply wanting you to listen, keeping connected and engaged with your student while they’re in college is important.Calling, texting, emailing instant messaging and social media are all at your disposal but don't over do it.
Embrace their emotions
Your student has relied on you for the past 18 year (give or take of few) of their life and now college brings a sense of rite of passage to a new found independence. Your student will experience ups and downs in college as one would expect with a major life change. Remember that you have seen their past 18 years of ups and downs and use this common ground to help guide them through, help them set goals, become involved and reach their goals.
Meaningful Conversations
It can be difficult to get information out of your student. Don't use close-ended questions like "how was your day?" that can lead to one-word answer such as "fine' or "okay." When you talk to your student try to focus more on their courses then their grades. Have them share with you newly read works of literature, intellectual theories, new passions, organizations they have joined and so on.
Evolve
The temptation will be great to directly involve yourself with every hurdle your student encounters while at Chowan. While your counsel is key to your student’s success, encourage them to find solutions on their own. There are numerous campus resources, such as Academic Success, their Academic Advisor, Campus Ministry and The Tutoring Center to name a few, available to help. Familiarize yourself with the University’s resources so you, too, can become a resource for success.
Expect Change
You should expect change to occur over the next four years while your student is not only expanding their knowledge but learning about themselves as well.
Have patience, laugh and smile with and embrace your student often!