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"I was so nervous as a parent not knowing anything about college.  If I knew there was so much help and caring people, I could have gone to college myself!  I know my daughter will be taken care of here at YSU!" Parent, 2005

College represents an important transition for both students and their families.  The support received from parents and family members plays an important role in the students overall success.  As a result, we believe college represents a partnership between the students, their families, and YSU.  Our orientation programs include sessions designed to meet the informational needs of parents and family members, including an opportunity to interact with University staff and students to ask any questions about life at YSU, to gain valuable information regarding the journey you and your student are beginning and to receive financial aid guidance.

We believe our orientation programs provide students with an excellent opportunity to establish their connection to the University.  In order to assist students in building this connection independently, students and family members will be separated during part of the program, including advisement and registration.  While students are completing the advisement and registration portion of the program, family members will be attending sessions designed to meet their informational needs.  Therefore, we encourage students to discuss issues related to course advisement and registration with their parent and family members prior to the scheduled orientation program.   Your cooperation and active participation is appreciated as we begin our journey together!

Below are specific examples of presentations you will participate in during an orientation program:

• Life at YSU: Candid Conversation with Students - This is your opportunity to get the real scoop on Youngstown State University.  Parents/family members will meet with current YSU students for a question and answer session to learn more about the YSU community.
• Insights Into Surviving Your Student's First Year Part I: Understanding the College Transition - The orientation staff has researched several transitional issues and created an interactive workshop that examines the issues first-year students are faced with.  We find that by educating parents and family members on the signs and symptoms of first-year issues, students have a valuable support system to utilize.
• Insights Into Surviving Your Student's First Year Part II: Successful Facilitation- The second portion of this workshop concentrates on successful techniques for academic success and how parents and family members can play an active and beneficial role in the students' process of development.

After orientation, we welcome parents and family members to continue their relationship with the University.  Check out the Penguin Parents & Family website or e-mail firstyrp@cc.ysu.edu to stay connected to YSU throughout the academic year.

Suggested Literature:
To assist you through the journey you and your student are beginning, we have found several resources that provide knowledge, successful tips, and support for parents, families, and students.  As a participant of our orientation program, parents will receive a copy of A New Chapter: How Parent's Fit Into Their Students' Lives at College by PaperClip Communications.  Here are additional resources to help you and your student during the transition:

• Barkin, C. (1999). When your kid goes to college: A parents' survival guide. New York: Avon Books, Inc.
• Coburn, K.L. & Treeger, M.L. (2003). Letting go: A parents' guide to understanding the college years. New York: Harper Collins.
• Mullendore, R.H. & Hatch, C. (2000). Helping your first-year college student succeed: A guide for parents.  South Carolina: The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.
• Ricchini, J. & Arndt, T. (2002). Life during college: Valuable advice & tips for success. Virginia: Life After Graduation, LLC.
• Making It Count: Parent Information Center. makingitcount.com

"Handing the world over to the young is the hardest thing to do but also the most essential." ANONYMOUS