Ways To Help Your Teenager

Your support is your teenager’s most important resource. It doesn’t matter whether or not you went to college- you can encourage your student and assure them that college is important.  With this support you can help them far more than anyone else.

Prepare Them For What Is Ahead

College gives students a tremendous amount of freedom.

• No one is monitoring their progress on a daily basis.  
• No one knows whether they’re doing the assignments.

Students should be prepared to do most of their learning on their own.

• Self-motivation and discipline are important
• The general rule is: For every one hour spent in class, college students should spend two hours of class reading, studying, and completing assignments.

Let Them Do It On Their Own

Dual Credit students are treated no differently than any other SWTJC college student.

• There are no parent conferences
• Communication regarding SWTJC students is restricted due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
• College is the time for parents to make the transition from being the primary advocate to becoming a supporter.
• Help your teenagers learn by instilling the message that their academic success depends on their taking responsibility for their own education and behavior.

Discover All That SWTJC Has To Offer

Support systems are available at SWTJC, such as learning labs, free tutoring, career planning, transfer services, and computer access, but students must seek out the services, ask for the help, and follow through.  Additional online resources are available @www.swtjc.edu, under Distance and Offsite Education.