Staying Engaged While Giving Space

Maintaining communication with your student is important, but so is fostering their independence. Discuss expectations around:

  • How often you’ll be in touch (calls, texts, video chats)
  • When you’ll visit campus
  • Expectations for visits home (responsibilities, time with friends, curfew)

Encourage them to build a strong support network by:

Keeping an open dialogue is key. Before your student leaves for college, talk about your expectations on key topics like:

  • Academic performance and responsibility
  • Financial planning and budgeting
  • Campus safety and emergency preparedness
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Campus Resources

Academic Success and Personal Growth

App State offers numerous academic resources to assist students. Encourage them to seek assistance early:

Beyond the classroom, students can explore:

Encouraging Self-Reliance

College teaches students self-reliance. Help them navigate essential services:

While students gain independence, family support remains essential:

  • Schedule regular check-ins to offer encouragement and advice
  • Discuss stress management strategies and mental health support options
  • Guide them to seek campus resources when challenges arise

Health & wellness resources available include:

Preparing for Emergencies

Help your student create an emergency plan that includes:

  • Important contacts and campus resources
  • Steps to take in case of academic, personal, or health-related issues

Encourage your student to sign up for AppState-ALERT for real-time emergency updates. You can also explore emergency preparedness resources to help them plan for various situations on campus.

Understanding FERPA and Student Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law governing the access to, and privacy of, educational records. Student consent must be provided to allow specified family members to have authorized access to academic, student accounts, financial aid and/or conduct records.

Learn more about FERPA polices at App State.