Get the most from parent orientation
- Ensure that your student checks their MySJSU account regularly
- Don’t do everything for your student! They need to learn how to navigate on their
own and you may not have access to everything.
- Print out your parking pass and leave it in your car before you check in the day of
your student’s session.
- Bring water and wear comfortable clothing and shoes. It will be long day with a good
amount of walking.
- Keep hard copies of your registration and payment.
tips for spartan Parents & Families
- Understand that every student has a unique experience in college. Be prepared to deal
with both your student's emotions and your own emotions as they enter a new stage
in their life.
- Openly discuss the financial situation and expectations with your student.
- Discuss priority of family, work, and school responsibilities.
- Many students view college as a step towards a new found independence. Establish levels
of trust and boundaries with your student. Try to guide them to the answers instead
of rescuing them.
- Stay involved with your student's new college experience. Learn about the SJSU campus so
that you can offer resource ideas when help is asked of you.
- Don't change anything major at home while your student is away without letting them
know. Your student may want to be just as involved with home matters as much as parents
want to be informed on school matters.
- This is a whole new experience so encourage your student to take advantage of the
many available on-campus resources.
- Discuss what may potentially happen in college social situations, (e.g.: alcohol use
at parties) and other lifestyle choices they may be exposed to. Avoid lecturing and
let them know your experiences.
- Encourage you student to set realistic academic, work, and extracurricular goals early
on. Students should meet with an academic advisor at the beginning of each semester
so that they can prepare a balanced, prioritized plan with achievable goals.
- Keep in touch with your student. Establish early on how often and what lines of communication
are to be used. Send care packages to remind them of home if you can.
Advising Overview for Families Presentation (PDF)
