How to Help Your Child

Succeed in College

Parent Orientation Prepared by the

Office of Undergraduate Studies

2014

Why Go To College?

Some Differences between

High School and College

High School

Highly monitored Students will usually be told what to

do and are corrected if their behavior

is out of line.

Attendance Taken every day.

Academic Performance Several grading periods and

cooperation, citizenship marks

before their final grade.

College

Little monitoring Students are expected to take

responsibility for what they do, as

well as for the consequences of

their decisions.

Attendance May/may not be taken

but students are expected to attend

class regardless.

Academic Performance Students monitor their own

performance and it’s their

responsibility to seek assistance if

needed.

Academic Performance

Requirement

• Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA at CSULA and

their cumulative GPA (in all college work). If either

GPA falls below 2.0, students will be placed on

probation. They should see an advisor immediately!

• Satisfactory progress (improving their GPA) must be

made over subsequent quarter(s). This means

grades of C+ or better.

• Students already on probation whose CSULA or

cumulative GPA drops below certain levels (based

on their unit completion) may be disqualified.

Students will need to meet with their advisor for the

possibility of being reinstated.

The Challenge of

Surviving the First Year

According to US News & World Report, as many as one in

three first year students won’t return for their sophomore

year.

Why?

Major distractions were?

Students reported strategies that contributed to their

success during their first year:

Attend class regularly, take classes with friends, share class

notes, participate in study groups, read before class, meet

with professors/teaching assistants, and they stressed the

importance of managing their time appropriately.

We’re Here to Help!

Campus Resources: Advisors

University Academic Advisement Center for General Education and University Requirements and for Undeclared Majors

Faculty/Staff in Major Department and College Advisement Centers

Visit an advisor each quarter!

Support Services University Writing Center, Tutorial Center, Women’s

Resource Center, Health Center (mental/physical), Academic Skills Workshops, Career Center, Office of Students with Disabilities

English and Math

Requirement • Executive Order 665: all students must complete their

pre-College level (preparatory) English and Math requirements by the end of their first year.

• Students must enroll in the appropriate preparatory coursework during their first quarter and each subsequent quarter until all preparatory work is completed.

• Students must complete all preparatory coursework with a “C” or better.

• Students who do not satisfy this requirement will be placed on administrative leave of absence for one year to complete this requirement at the Community College.

First Quarter Schedule

Registration Dates

• ENGLISH (95, 96, 100/101s, 101);

• MATH (89, 90, 91,100, 102, 104A or MATH/ECON

109); and

• Introduction to Higher Education (IHE)

Sept 2-4 College of HHS (by Department)

Sept 4-5 Undeclared Students

Sept 5 & 8 College of NSS

Sept 8-9 College of ECST

Sept 9-10 College of A&L

Sept 10-11 College of B&E; CCOE

Allocating Enough Time to

Succeed at CSULA

• CSULA is on a 10-week quarter. 10 weeks of

classes and the 11th week is finals.

• Studying: For every 4-unit class your student should

devote 12 hours of studying.

• Full time student = 12 units each quarter = 36 hours

per week for academics!!!

Your Help Matters

• You are important to your child’s college success.

• You are a source of unconditional love and support.

• You need to develop balance between support and letting go.

• You can help your child become independent, responsible, and self-sufficient.

Parent Academy Attend the Parent Academy!

• Develop a better understanding of what your child will experience in

college,

• Learn what it takes for students to be successful and how you can help

them achieve that success,

• Learn about the campus resources available, at no cost, which

enhance student success,

• Learn what’s available to help finance your child’s education.

There are 3 half-day programs on campus (one each quarter)

They are offered in English or Spanish

Fees nominal

For more information, check out the Parent Academy website

www.calstatela.edu/parentacademy/

GOOD LUCK!