Supporting My Student
Tips for families and supporters
You know your student better than anyone. As you encourage and support them throughout their college experience, we want you to know there are many resources available to them and you.
Talk with your student early and often about areas they might be challenged with and ways that they want to grow. The conversations you have can impact the skills they learn, how they develop, and what they become involved in at CMU. When considering ways to support your student's experience, explore the list below to start your conversations.
Building a foundation for academic success
We encourage you to have open and honest conversations about your student's grades and academic performance. if your student needs support, their academic advisor can discuss available academic resources and help with future course planning. Your student's academic advisor's name and contact information is listed in Degree Progress.
Learn more about academic advising and assistance resources.
Many professions keep their students updated on their progress throughout the semester by posting grades in Blackboard, CMU's course management system. However, official final grades will be posted in your student's CentralLink account, not Blackboard.
Encouraging your student to get involved
Taking extracurricular activities to the next level, co-curricular experiences and programs that are outside of the classroom are intentionally designed to contribute to student learning by allowing them to gain skills and experiences that enhance their leadership and personal development. The time your student spends outside of the classroom has the potential to help land them their dream job after graduation.
Encourage your student to check out these and other opportunities to get involved outside the classroom:
Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity
Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center
Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute
Important dates and events
Stay "in the know" with important dates and events happening on campus and in the community. Our academic calendar is a great reference to help your student develop a plan for a successful semester.
Resources for frequently asked questions
As a supporter of a student off at college, naturally, you're going to have a lot of questions. That's where we come in! We have great online resources available to you 24/7 to answer many of the questions you may have. And if not, feel free to connect with us for more information.