Parents & Family
Advice for Families and Parents
Whether you attended college yourself or not, your “real world” knowledge and willingness to support and encourage your student can be instrumental to their success as a JCC student. Naturally, family members want to help. Here is a guide to use as you seek to assist your student.
What do I do if I have a question for my student’s advisor?
If you have a question, feel free to call any advisor, but remember that federal law prevents us from sharing specific information about your student unless we have written permission from the student. We can answer questions about the college calendar, degree requirements and policies but we cannot, for example, disclose information about your student’s attendance, grades or progress.
How can I help my student do better in college than in high school?
Understand that low high school grades do not automatically mean low college grades. Frequently students do better in college, which can provide an environment where students are expected to be independent and are treated like the adults they are becoming. Students have a more flexible learning environment and are challenged to think critically and express themselves. It is a new beginning for them.
What if my student has a complaint?
If you have concerns, or if your student wants to express a concern or complaint, feel free to start with Student Services. Our staff can address many of your concerns and can steer you to the right process. If you have a complaint about an instructor, JCC has a formal complaint process. You will find more details about this process in the section on Complaints and Refunds.
Should my student work while attending college?
It depends on the student. Many students work more than one job while attending college and still earn excellent grades, thanks to careful time management. Other students, particularly those who found more satisfaction in their part-time jobs than in their high school classes, may earn higher grades if they work less as they adjust to the demands of college courses. Students who must work 30+ hours weekly should consider taking courses part-time rather than full-time.
How can I help my student succeed?
Encourage your student to do these things:
- Visit instructors during office hours. Students who get to know their instructors and work with instructors outside of class perform better in class than those who do not. Students should visit with instructors in the first two weeks of the semester to introduce themselves and ask about policies and assignments. Each faculty member keeps set office hours that are posted on their office door. Faculty who choose to teach at community colleges thrive on helping students learn and welcome student interactions.
- Attend class. College classes do not merely transmit information to students that they could read on their own. Each class time becomes a unique learning experience based upon the class discussion and learning activities. Students who attend class regularly perform better academically. College courses meet only a few times a week, so students who miss a class can quickly fall behind and find it very difficult to catch up. Going to college is a job, and missing class is like missing work.
- Organize materials. For each course, students should keep a copy of the syllabus, notes and handouts together in a notebook or folder. The syllabus answers most main questions such as grading scales, course requirements, attendance policies, testing and reading due dates, and contact information for the instructor.
- Call in. If for any reason your student has to miss a class, they need to contact the instructor. Each instructor provides a syllabus in the first week of class that contains contact information such as the office phone number and faculty e-mail address.
- Get involved. When your student joins college clubs or participates in student government, service learning, or campus events, adjustment to college happens more quickly. Your student will make new friends, apply class concepts to real life, and build effective résumés.
- Meet deadlines. Colleges have deadlines for financial aid, registration, assignments, tests and withdrawing from classes. While you can offer reminders, your student is the one who needs to meet the deadlines or deal with the consequences.
- Stay healthy. Provide nutritious foods and encourage your student to exercise regularly. Health has a dramatic impact on a student’s ability to study, understand and remember material.
- Take advantage of the opportunities. College is an investment in time and money. Students get the most return on investment when they attend classes, complete assignments, and participate in extracurricular events.
