Office of Student Recruitment (Undergraduate)

Tips for parents of New Students

  1. Understand that the first few weeks or months may be rough on you and your child. Your child is experiencing a lot of changes in his or her life. Expect a period of adjustment. Be supportive.
  2. Pray for your child day
  3. Encourage your student to get to know a diverse group of people. UWI Mona students have the opportunity to meet students from all over the world.
  4. Encourage your child to become involved in activities. Involvement will allow your student to grow academically and socially and help him or her identify with a smaller group on campus.
  5. Consider the calendar your student is experiencing. The first week of school, midterms and final exam weeks can create a lot of stress. Your encouragement and caring can be especially important at these times.
  6. Listen to your child and wait to offer advice. Students often call home to ‘vent’ and need their parents to listen to their problems, not solve them. Ask open-ended questions that help your child to discover a solution on his or her own.
  7. Show your support and encouragement and emphasize that you are confident that your child can make the right choices. Your student will develop more independence and maturity from making his or her own decisions and his or her own mistakes.
  8. Carefully decide when to intervene on behalf of your child. University students are in the process of becoming adults-you don’t want to risk implying that your child can’t manage without your help.
  9. Visit your child – but please, no surprises. Homework, jobs and social activities tend to fill up a student’s schedule. Allow your child time to plan ahead.
  10. Come to Orientation in August! It’s a great chance to see your child all settled into his or her life at UWI Mona. Let your child take the opportunity to teach you something new, a bit of role-reversal.
  11. Don’t be surprised if your child expresses an interest in changing majors or programme of study. Your child will be exposed to a variety of academic areas and career possibilities, especially during the first year. As your child discovers new opportunities, his or her focus may change.
  12. Inspire your child by showing interest in what he or she is learning. Demonstrate the joy of being a lifelong student.
  13. Talk about money with your student. Mutually understood budgets will help your child with spending and saving expectations. Make it clear if you expecting your child to work part-time to help meet University cost.
  14. Don’t make assumptions about breaks and where your child will spend them. Your child may wish to return home for breaks or vacation, or he or she may want to spend time with University friends. Clearly communicate any family expectations regarding holidays and vacations well in advance.
  15. As a University student, your son or daughter will be accustomed to a certain amount of personal freedom and may expect the same degree of independence at home. Your child will feel more positive about spending time at home if you work together to make adjustments to family rules when he or she come home. Give your child a tremendous amount of grace and always lots of love!