Time of Transition We recognize that college also represents a time of transition for you as a parent. You have been very invested in your student's academic, personal and social development. You have been encouraged by school systems to be an active participant in your child’s education by participating in PTA, attending parent/teacher conferences, even checking your student’s grades on the school system website. As a parent, you may be torn seeing your child struggle. You may be tempted to run interference for them when they face a difficult situation. You may be used to managing their needs such as filling out forms or deciding what classes they should take. However, when parents continue to make decisions or manage students’ responsibilities for them, they may unwittingly send a message of, “I'm acting for you because I don't think you are competent to do so.” Just as college presents students with the opportunity to become more independent, it is also an opportunity for parents to move from the role of manager to consultant, allowing students to work out problems for themselves with the reassurance that you, as their parent, will be available to give advice as needed.
A Healthy Balance Allowing students to manage their own education does not mean that they will no longer need you. Indeed, despite their quest for independence, students will still need your continued support as they attempt to manage the academic and personal decisions involved in their college experience. They will need your advice and encouragement as they struggle with difficult situations and your love and support as they face disappointments. They will also need your encouragement to allow them to take steps on their own to manage the variety of challenges awaiting them. This will mean allowing your student to work through difficult situations with the faculty and staff at the college rather than relying on you to intervene on his/her behalf. And because we expect this, the college offers services and resources designed to help students develop the skills necessary to manage the demands and challenges associated with college life. Students should attend our New Student Welcome Day, read our College Catalog and the information on our website, and talk with counselors and faculty members to learn about college requirements, policies and procedures, and the wide array of learning opportunities both in and outside the classroom.
At LLCC, students have the opportunity to become knowledgeable, mature, responsible adults, capable of managing the complex issues that the world presents them. By providing them guidance and allowing them to achieve greater levels of independence and self-reliance, students develop self-confidence and the skills necessary to ensure the attainment of their educational and personal goals as they transition into adulthood.