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Parent Resource Center

First-Year Experience

Greetings.

As I said at one of our recent parent orientation sessions, your main goal and mine are the same. You and I are both committed to that day, four or five years down the line, when that freshman student in your family walks across the stage to receive a degree. The path to that day will be a challenging one. Statistics show us that the first year of a student's university life is a crucial first step along that path. Those same statistics also show us that universities need to make meaningful contact with students as soon as possible, no later than five weeks after they first set foot on campus. Thus, it makes sense for us at Nicholls State University to put our resources and our efforts into what is called "the first-year experience."

As part of its strong commitment to the first-year experience, Nicholls has appointed me to serve as the dean for all first-time freshmen. My job as Dean of University College is to make sure that all aspects of that first-year experience are coordinated for the student and communicated to the student. Here are just a few of the actions we in University College have taken to make sure your students stay on that path to success:

  • We have created Freshman Institute (La Porte D'Entrée), the official first day of class that has been reserved for freshmen only.
  • We have assigned all freshmen their own academic advisers, and we will see to it that students meet with these advisers in our UNIV 101 class on a regular basis to discuss such issues as career planning and learning skills.
  • We have made tutoring services widely available to students at convenient times during the week.
    We have moved the honors program to University College to demonstrate that high standards and academic achievement are part of the freshman environment.
  • We have begun a Master Adviser Certification program to train our advisers on practices to insure that the advising experience is rewarding for both the adviser and the student.
  • We have remodeled the second floor of historic Elkins Hall at the front of the campus to serve as a home for University College and for the new Academic Advising Center.

Before I close let me call your attention again to the Nicholls Advising Center on the second floor of Elkins Hall. If the first-time freshman in your family ever has questions or needs direction or encouragement, please remind him or her about the Advising Center. That place is not only the "center" of the first year of every student's academic life. It will also be available to all students—freshman to senior—during any of the many phases of their stay with us here at Nicholls.

Thank you for helping me make Elkins Hall and University College a true portal of entry, or as we like to call it La Porte D'Entrée, the front door to the future.
The first year of college is a time of great change, growth, excitement and stress for the student and the parents/guardians. Below are some strategies to help you through this transition.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Davis
Dean of University College

Below are some strategies to help you and your student through the transition from high school to college.

How can I help my child in general?

  • Be a good listener.
  • Show interest in their studies and personal growth.
  • Have an open mind.
  • Don't set unrealistic expectations about their major, grades or career plans.
  • Be realistic and honest with them about finances.
  • Don't push.
  • Encourage them to get involved, make new friends and develop new interests.
  • Keep the lines of communication open.

How can I help from a distance if he/she lives on campus?

  • Stay in touch. Schedule weekly times for calls home.
  • Make the most of visits home.
  • Send care packages.
  • Allow your child to set the agenda for some of your conversations.

When should I get involved?

  • When tearful calls home outnumber the others or tears are present more frequently than usual each day at home
  • Sudden unintentional and/or unnecessary weight loss
  • Frequent illness
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Changes in behavior or appearance
  • Your child mentions feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

Where can I send them for help on campus?

What about my adjustment to this situation as a parent?

  • Recognize that feelings of ambivalence about your child entering college and/or leaving home are normal.
  • Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions you are experiencing.
  • Make overall wellness a goal for yourself.
  • Remember that, for your child, coming to college is an extremely important developmental step toward full adulthood…be proud of yourself for helping them get to this stage.
  • Find new creative outlets for yourself.