Academic Enrichment & Support Center 651.638.6416 | bethel.edu/undergrad/academics/support
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PARENTS AND FAMILIES
The Academic Enrichment & Support Center (AESC) team believes every student admitted to Bethel has the potential to be successful at Bethel and in a future career. That’s why we provide free tutoring and other resources that empower students to achieve academic success. However, your support is critical in helping your student navigate college academic demands and complete a four-year degree.
WHAT DOES FAMILY SUPPORT LOOK LIKE?
These formative years teach students to be fully responsible for themselves and their actions as they navigate challenging coursework and discover their passions, interests, and abilities. This process isn’t easy. Students often comment on the increased need for critical thinking and analysis in college. Most have to learn new study strategies or better time management skills. As a parent or family member, one of the most critical ways you can prepare your student for collegiate success is by helping him or her process major differences between high school and college. Begin by reviewing the following chart, and consider dialoguing with your student about specific differences that you think will present a challenge.
High School
College
Time/schedule
Structured and sequential. Typically a daily routine that is stable and predictable.
Unstructured. Students are responsible for getting up, going to class, managing priorities, and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. School is a full time job—40–45 hours/week with attending class and studying 2-3 hours for every hour they are in class.
Freedom
Student freedom is usually dictated by scheduled activities and parental guidelines.
Students make their own choices about how to use their time. There are no curfews at Bethel.
Study skills and time management
Students do not learn to apply study and time management skills extensively in most high school experiences.
All students need some type of time management skills at the college level, and most will need to learn effective study skills to prepare for challenging exams and to handle increased amounts of reading and homework.
18 FAMILY GUIDEBOOK
