Welcome Family and Friends and anyone who makes up an LSC Student’s support system! We are glad you are here!
On this page, you’ll find some information regarding what you and your student might experience during the transition of becoming a college student. Becoming a college student is much more than simply taking courses; it’s learning time-management, independence, responsibility, how to ask for assistance when needed, caring for oneself physically and emotionally, and finding balance amidst it all.
Lake Superior College is not only here to help your student succeed academically, but to help you, the support person, assist your student with succeeding in this new phase of life.
After addressing the various parts of this important transition, you will also see a list of assorted resources available to your student while at LSC. From Counseling, Advising, to Tutoring, Career Services, and activities available through Student Life, we look forward to helping your student make the most of their time at Lake Superior College.
Finding a healthy balance between independence and connection
Determine what is best for you and your student—Strong family and friends involvement (most needed at the beginning of the first year of college) or little family and friends involvement (back off completely and allow your student to learn by immersion).
Supporting their growth and independence and being a stable force in their changing world
Expect that your student will not respond to all your contacts but will appreciate hearing from you.
Connect and check in:
- Communicate
- Share about yourself
- Ask open-ended questions
- Allow for mistakes
- Guide but don’t pressure
- Be available to help
- Listen
- Express interest
- Reinforce strengths
- State expectations regarding finances, contact, academics, drugs/alcohol
- Share about yourself
- What have you discussed about this with them?
Preparing for new viewpoints and perspectives
College may challenge prior belief systems; this stage in life is about learning and growing as a person.
- Allow your student to explore new ideas without being judgmental.
- Accept that changes in viewpoints, behavior, dress, eating/sleeping habits, and relationships with family and friends are expected during the college years
- If you suspect some of these changes may be a sign of a bigger problem refer your student to the appropriate resources for help. Trust your instincts.
Understanding College Student Development (Chickering & Reisser)
- Developing Competence: “Can I make it here?”
- Managing Emotions: “How do I handle my feelings?”
- Moving Toward Interdependence: “How do I become a responsible adult?”
- Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships: “Connecting with others?”
- Establishing Identity: “Who am I?”
- Developing Purpose: “What is my future?”
- Developing Integrity: “What are my values?”
- Strengths
- Areas of development
Includes ALL DATA related to grade reports, transcripts, billing/financial aid information, payments, & accomplishments- also things like:
- Warning, Probation, Suspension
- Counseling (If there is a threat to self or others, the Dean of Students will make the determination to contact parents/family.)
- Discipline
To find out your student’s grades please ask them directly. It is the student’s option to sign an authorization of information waiver that gives parents/guardians/significant others access to all their records.
- Adjusting to new life, new responsibilities, relationships, and freedoms
- May be homesick at times due to separation from family and friends
- May be insecure about fitting in, navigating surroundings, or being as smart as others
- Necessary financial aid application (FAFSA) due with required documents
What you can do:
- Accept your role may change as a parent/guardian to more of a mentoring role (with less control).
- Encourage your student to be independent and decline to come to the rescue so students learn to solve their own problems. This will show you have confidence in them.
- Encourage your student to join clubs, student groups and sports and to attend campus events.
- Address finances in paying for courses or student will be dropped from courses.
September
- May have trouble managing time
- May learn that what worked for high school academics won’t necessarily work for college
- May limit themselves by staying connected only with high school friends instead of developing new friendships
What you can do:
- Be prepared for your student to vent frustrations and fears. This is normal!
- Respond with confidence in your student’s abilities.
- Provide time-management techniques or refer to a counselor, advisor, or the tutoring center.
October
- May be stressed about tests, midterms, and time to study and complete coursework
- May receive poor grades on tests, papers, or projects due to inexperience
- Will be learning to manage money and budget
- Needs to register for spring semester
What you can do:
- Be sympathetic but let the student fix any problems.
- Help your student be realistic about academic achievement.
- Help your student establish a budget.
- Direct students to campus resources to address academic and personal issues
November
- Stress levels are high with midterms, papers, and projects due
- Procrastinators may panic in falling behind on courses
What you can do:
- Be supportive and encouraging. Send a care package.
- Do not be surprised if you hear from your student less as they may be meeting course demands.
- Do not focus on grades. Ask what they are learning.
- Ask your student about upcoming spring term courses.
December
- Very little time left before final exams
- Papers and projects are due and may be the longest, most involved academic work your student has ever done.
- A very stressful time in which students tend to have less sleep and les self-care (nutrition, exercise)
- Grades will be posted, and students may feel disappointed or delighted.
What you can do:
- Encourage healthy eating and exercise.
- Encourage student to participate in study break and stress-reduction activities.
- Discuss with your student the home rules for the upcoming break (time spent with family, curfew, responsibilities)
- Remind your student they now have a better understanding of what is required in future courses. Family/friends reactions to grades weigh heavily on the student and influence their stress levels going into a new semester.
January
- Students return to classes with new instructors and courses.
- Students can join a new club or campus organization.
- Students may have intention to change study habits, time management, and more to improve academically due to previous semester experience.
What you can do:
- Be supportive regardless of grades. If student is struggling academically, refer them to LSC resources for help.
- Remind your student to keep up with coursework as procrastination is not helpful.
February
- May feel depressed as winter continues and neglect health and exercise
- May make plans for spring break
What you can do:
- Encourage being active to stave off the winter blues, and if it’s something more serious, refer student to LSC or external resources to cope.
- Discuss family and friend expectations of this time (where and money spent).
- Encourage student to connect with course instructors during office hours, which are posted on course syllabus that every student receives, as an additional support.
March
- May be stressed about test, midterms, and time management
- Registration for summer and fall semesters begins
- May feel pressured to declare major if undecided/uncertain of current program of study.
- May begin thinking about summer employment
- May be concerned with returning home to live with parents/family in the summer
- Should begin or complete FAFSA (financial aid application) for next year
What you can do:
- Direct student to campus resources for additional academic support.
- Encourage your student to meet with an advisor to register for classes.
- If student is undecided, refer them to Counseling Services for career exploration.
- Trust that your student will make decision that are best for their future.
- Have your student check their Eservices account for FAFSA status.
April
- Midterm exams, papers, and projects are coming due, thus increasing stress.
- Concentrating on academics becomes harder with warm-weather distractions.
What you can do:
- Be supporting and encouraging.
- Do not be surprised if you hear from students less. Your student may be meeting course demands.
- Try not to focus on grades. Ask what they are learning.
May
- Very little time left before final exams
- Papers and projects are due and may be the longest, most involved academic work your student has ever done.
- A very stressful time in which students tend to have less sleep and les self-care (nutrition, exercise)
- Grades will be posted, and students may feel disappointed or delighted.
What you can do:
- Encourage healthy eating and exercise.
- Encourage student to participate in study break and stress-reduction activities.
- Discuss with your student the home rules for the upcoming break (time spent with family, curfew, responsibilities)
- Remind your student they now have a better understanding of what is required in future courses. Parent reactions to grades weigh heavily on the student and influence their stress levels going into a new semester.
- Free, citywide transportation is available through the Duluth Transit Authority with an LSC student ID. There’s no excuse to miss class!
- If there is an address/contact information change, please have your student contact the LSC Records Office.
- If your student has a documented disability and would benefit from accommodations, please have them self-advocate and contact Student Accessibility Services for a confidential intake.
- The Tutoring and Learning Center has free tutors available in a variety of subjects! Additional free learning services are available.
- Academic Advisors are assigned based on the student’s declared area of study and are located in Student Services.
- Classes your student registers for are determined by their specific area of study (consult the program guide) or are of personal interest to the student. It is possible your student may only register for classes that are not required.
- Lake Superior College Annual Security Report is available online.
Family/friends can be an essential source of support and encouragement.
Family/friends should allow their student room to fail and experience disappointments, to understand the consequences of his/her actions, and to prepare for the “real world.”
Thank you for the support you provide for your Lake Superior College student.
Campus Resources
Resource | Refer student here for: |
---|---|
Academic Advising | Get help with educational plans that are consistent with academic, personal and professional goals. |
Students can seek assistance with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and networking. | |
Counseling Services are free of charge to assist your student in attaining his/her personal and educational goals. Resources and support are tailored to help your student with career, academic and/or personal concerns. Conversations are confidential. Every student is encouraged to talk to a Counselor when life gets in the way of success in classes! | |
Student Accessibility Services | Individualized academic accommodations are provided to students with a documented disability. If your student was on an IEP or 504 plan in high school, accommodations may be similar. Documentation is required, and we will work with you to obtain it and of course is it kept confidential. The most accessed accommodation is extended time for tests and testing in a quiet area. All accommodations are individualized and determined for each course with student input. We work with all types of disabilities: learning, physical, sensory, mental health, and temporary situations. It is up to a student to access our services, and we also offer support, check in meetings, referrals and accommodation loan equipment. |
Erickson Library | Library and research services. The library also serves as a research hub and quiet place for studying. |
Financial Aid | Assistance and clarification on completion of FAFSA, awards, grants, loans, etc. |
Food Shelf | Campus food shelf that student and staff may use at any time (donations always accepted). |
Health Education Resources | Health education materials, events, referrals to health care agencies, health insurance information and influenza vaccination. |
Intercultural Center | A service-driven space that is open to all that provides a safe and welcoming environment for all students to learn about themselves and other cultures. |
LSC Store | Course materials by instructor to order online. |
Records and Registration | Help with transcript requests, transfer evaluations, graduation applications, and petitions/appeals, as well as grade and enrollment verification. |
Student Life | College clubs and opportunities to students on campus through rec sports, outdoor programs and other events. |
Student Payment Office |
The Student Payment Office processes payments on student accounts for tuition, fees, lockers, transcripts, ID badges, and any other LSC charges. The SPO accepts cash, check, and credit card payments. Payments can be made in person at the window, over the phone, online, or in the drop box by the SPO window. Payment plans are available for students online through eServices, over the phone, or in person. Visit our website for more details and hours. Student account due information and online payment plans can be found by logging in to eServices and going to the Bills & Payment section. |
Help Desk/Technology Support | Help with printing, software use, and general computer assistance. |
A personalized learning environment for eligible students that inspires engaged learning, independent responsibility, and community connection. | |
Tutoring and other academic resources to LSC students at no cost. | |
Veteran’s Center | Assistance to eligible student veterans, active duty personnel, dependents, reservists, and National Guard members with GI Bill benefits and education benefits programs. |
Wellness Center | Free Wellness Center for students to use featuring a wide variety of cardiovascular, strength, and resistance training equipment to meet your fitness needs. |