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Supporting Your Student

Supporting Your Student

SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT

Ensure Your Student’s First Year is a Success

Parents, family and guardians of students on the Atlanta Campus and our five Perimeter College campuses play a vital role in their student's journey. From arrival on campus to graduation, your Panther will experience different challenges and opportunities. Here is a list of tips and suggestions to help guide you and support your student through the first year.

Pre-Arrival Checklist

  • Does your student have a valid health insurance plan and card?
  • Has your student submitted immunization records to the Student Health Clinic?
  • Has your student completed and/or updated emergency contact info using the PAWS student portal?
  • Has your student installed and registered for the LiveSafe App?
  • If your student is bringing a vehicle, have they obtained proper vehicle registration information and a parking permit?
  • Has your student established a home-away-from-home by completing any last-minute housing information?
  • Have you discussed meal plan options with your student and has your student made a selection?
  • Does your student have an activated PantherCard?
  • Have you created an account on the Panther Family Portal to receive updates, newsletters, and emails from Georgia State?

Helping You Help Your Student

Whether your student is at the Atlanta Campus or one of our Perimeter College campuses, we want you to know that you have an important part to play in supporting them. Starting with Freshman Convocation and ending with Commencement, your Panther will experience different challenges and opportunities. Listed are tips and suggestions to help guide you and support your Panther.

Pre-Arrival Conversation

Pre-Arrival Conversation
Find time to talk with your student about the college experience before classes begin. Consider the following conversation starters:

  • What are you excited about?
  • What are you worried about?
  • What would you like to accomplish in your first year at Georgia State?
  • Family finances and your college budget

Fall Semester

Fall Semester

College is an exciting, and sometimes daunting, transition for students and their parents, families and guardians. It’s important that you stay in touch and share your student’s enthusiasm about this new chapter. Acknowledging that there will be great opportunities and tough challenges along the way will help your student set realistic expectations and cope with new situations. Encourage your student to work through their own problems by calling on campus resources and staff who are eager to help. While your instinct may be to "fix" a problem, it's best to nurture independence.
Tips

  • Ask about your student's classes, roommate(s), friends and new life.
  • If your student is homesick, suggest campus involvement and assure them things will get easier with time.
  • If your student is living on campus, encourage them to get to know the community. If your student is living off campus and commuting, encourage them to get involved in a student organization, find a campus job or join an intramural activity.
  • Make sure your student knows about Panther Welcome, a program that organizes events and opportunities for new and returning students as classes begin in the fall.
  • Encourage your student to consider joining Greek life or other organizations on campus. Each Greek chapter sponsors its own philanthropy and many organizations hold events throughout the year.

Spring Semester

Spring Semester

Now that your student has completed the fall semester and taken focused classes, they may consider declaring a different major. Spring semester is a great time for your student to explore other majors. They should consider taking on an internship, community service, a part-time job or campus activities to gain practical experience and leadership skills.
Tips

  • If your student did not meet their academic goals in the fall, suggest they consult Student Success, which offers a variety of resources to address individual academic performance needs.
  • Encourage your student to share any concerns about their major with their student adviser.
  • Talk to your student about creating a resume that lists part-time employment and internship or co-op experience.
  • Encourage your student to attend career fairs and graduate school fairs to gain exposure to all the opportunities at Georgia State.
  • Submit the appropriate financial aid applications for the upcoming academic year, and contact Financial Aid with questions.
  • Make sure your student has signed up for the Emergency Notification System to receive weather and safety alerts via phone and email.
  • If your student needs help with issues such as time management, relationships, or feelings of distress or depression, motivate them to schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center or take advantage of one of its workshops. Also, recommend visiting the Student Recreation Center for fun and stress relief.
  • Call, text or email your student regularly to let them know you are there.

Contact Us

Atlanta & Perimeter College Campuses

In Person:
Student Center East, Suite 316
55 Gilmer Street SE

Monday-Friday:
8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Phone: 404-413-1580
Fax: 404-413-1572

Mailing Address:
New Student Orientation
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3973
Atlanta, GA 30302-3973

Virtually:
Email: [email protected]

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