The Role of Parents and Families

Welcome MxCC Parents and Families!

We are glad your child or family member has chosen to attend MxCC – and that you are taking an active supporting role in their pursuits.  This New Student Orientation web page  – as well as the entire MxCC website – was designed to be a great source of information on courses, financial aid, academic plans, transfer programs, career development, and more.

A few hotspots to check out:

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Encourage the new students in your family to:

  • Understand that difference between high school and college, an understanding of credits for degree completion
  • Make a plan for their education that includes selecting a major, planning for transfer to a four-year college, or meeting career objectives

Consider this:  students need broad learning opportunities to help them define their interests and direction AND to build skills and capacities needed for their ultimate profession.  Laying the groundwork first helps them zero in on a more meaningful career.

  • Discuss their classes, work load, possible academic problems that may arise and how to deal with them
  • Seek academic support from instructors, the Academic Success Center, and/or Retention Specialist if they fall behind, feel lost or overwhelmed in courses
  • Find a quiet place to study for the 6 hours (average) required for every 3 credit class meeting – 24 hours a week for full-time students
  • View college as a full-time job that should take priority over paying jobs; you can offer support with family and other responsibilities to help them through this commitment
  • Limit work hours, if possible, to part-time (20 hours per week during school)
  • Get to know college expectations, operations and procedures found in the Academic Policies and Campus Policies
  • Learn important dates in the Academic Calendar for each semester:
    • advising week
    • registration
    • withdrawal deadlines
    • mid-term and final exam periods
  • Contact the Financial Aid office for information, crucial deadlines, FAFSA applications, and more
  • Learn to actively use my.commnet and your college email to receive communications from the Financial Aid office and other MxCC departments
  • Meet with their faculty advisor who will help them make the best course selections for graduation or transfer.
    • General Studies and Health Career Pathway students may be assigned to a counselor or staff member to assist them in determining a career direction and course selection
  • Value your trusting and supportive relationship!

DID YOU KNOW?

  • MxCC students need to study 6 hours on average for every 3 credit class meeting?
  • Full-time students need to study at least 24 hours a week to keep up with classes?
  • Full-time workers struggle to be full-time students?
  • All MxCC students must enroll in and complete 1/3 of their college credits in General Education classes as a requirement to graduate?
  • All students receive a faculty advisor following the initial course registration session – and that it is the student’s responsibility to set up a meeting?
  • It is up to the student to initiate contact to receive services for academic, career, disability or personal counseling referral?

GREAT NEWS!

Research strongly indicates that students who establish relationships in college are more likely to succeed.  Encourage the new students you know to:

  • Join a club, participate in campus activities, find a friend or group to study with
  • Meet with and get to know their faculty advisors within the first two months at school
  • Learn about and use college resources: library staff, counselors, student programming

Successful students typically have two things in common: they are organized and they manage their time effectively.

Part of earning a college degree is getting a well- rounded education in different subjects. 

  • Students who have never attended college before do best to begin with general education courses – which are more likely to satisfy degree and transfer requirements
  • Every major includes General Education courses, as outlined in the MxCC Course Catalog
  • With careful planning prior to transferring to a four-year college, your son/daughter/family member can fulfill some bachelor degree AND associate degree requirements AT THE SAME TIME

A WORD ABOUT THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

This federal law mandates that college academic records are the “property” of the student (NOT THE FAMILY) and a few select institution personnel. 

  • The constraints of this law can frustrate parents trying to support their students.  When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a postsecondary institution, FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student. FERPA restricts parental access to any institutional information without express written consent of your student.  This includes access to grades, course schedules, other academic information, and overall enrollment status.
  • Although the law prohibits parents from routinely accessing student records, students are free to share their information with parents and to sign a release of information to enable college representatives to share information with parents. Record Release Authorization PDF form
  • Visit  MxCC Records for more information.

THE PARENTS’ ROLE

  • Although most college students are legal adults – and the parents’ role is now vastly different than in high school – parents still play an important role.  Your interest to be involved in your student’s college journey is critical and students benefit greatly from parental and family support.
  • Know that your son or daughter may feel overwhelmed at first – and that the first semester is often a challenging one for students as they adjust to new freedoms and responsibilities.
  • Know that he or she will gain confidence and decision-making abilities by experiencing the first few college steps on their own (with the help of college advisors)
  • Be mindful of the difference between caring and enabling: enabling is doing things for someone else that they CAN and SHOULD be doing for themselves.
  • College is different from High School in many ways – and both parents and students will notice key differences within the first semester of college.
  • Learning how to make informed choices and how to find supportive resources is an important life skill for college and beyond. When students enter college, they are required to make academic, personal, financial and career decisions that affect them and their future.
  • MxCC is here to support you and your student.  We want your experience with MxCC to be a satisfying a rewarding one.  Thank you for supporting your student!
  • More Tips for Parents: