Family College Guide
Encouraging conversations
As students start their college journey, it’s natural for questions to come up, not just for them but also for their families. To encourage open communication and understanding about the college journey, we have compiled answers to common questions about what it means to be an LAS student across five key areas of higher education: academics, majors and careers, campus involvement, well-being, and finances.
How to use this guide:
- Students can share the guide with their families and invite them to review the information, helping to increase awareness of the college experience.
- Students can review the guide and use it as a starting point to have meaningful conversations about the college experience with their families.
Inside the guide
Below you’ll find the questions in each domain that are answered in the family resource. Review the questions, then select the links to read more about a specific topic. If you have any questions about the information or need further assistance, please contact us.
Academics
The Academics section explores the demands and expectations of students enrolled in LAS.
- What will my new LAS student’s academic load look like?
- What are the academic expectations and demands of college students? What are the differences between high school and college?
- How can students manage the demands?
- What are the important dates that my student should be aware of?
- If my college student is the first one to attend college in our family, are there programs aimed at helping in this case?
- Are there more options where my student can get help?
Majors and Careers
The Majors and Careers section explore career preparation and pathways for students enrolled in LAS.
- How can my college student learn about majors and possible careers?
- What is the major exploration in LAS?
- How does my college student know what path to choose?
- Where can my student get help?
- How will LAS prepare my college student for future careers?
Campus Involvement
The Campus Involvement section explores student life outside of the classroom.
- What does it mean to be involved on campus?
- Should my college student get involved on campus? Is it beneficial for students?
- What does involvement look like at UIC and LAS? How and where can students get involved?
- Are there culture-specific options to get involved? Gender-specific options? Orientation-specific options?
Well-Being
The Well-Being section explores the importance of caring for students’ mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
- What are common stressors and anxieties for college students? Why is it important for students to practice wellness?
- How can my college student take care of their mental and emotional well-being? Where can students get support?
- Should I do something? What could be done from the family’s side?
- What about student health beyond mental well-being?
- What if my student has disability and specific needs? Is it possible to get specific support?
- What if there is a crisis or emergency that is related to the university, and I immediately need assistance?
Finances
The Finances section explores the general costs of college attendance.
- How can my college student get help with finance
- What are the expected fees and expenses my student may have?
- What questions can the financial aid and student accounts offices assist with?
- If my college student is an international student, what resources exist?
- What emergency financial resources are available?
- How can my student keep track of important dates?
Special thanks
First-at-LAS warmly thanks Ekaterina Petrenko, PhD student in Polish, Russian, and Central and European Studies, for building this valuable resource.