Success Challenge Student Parent Final Report 

In support of the UC|21 goal to increase student retention and graduation rates, the UC Women’s Center received a Success Challenge Grant for the purpose of determining the number of undergraduate UC students with dependent children, measuring the stressors and barriers they encounter, and identifying existing UC programs that assist student parents.  Read Executive Summary or Final Report

FINDING THE BALANCE:

Studying/Organizing/Parenting/Managing Time

Tips for student parents*:  

• Let ALL of your professors know that you are a parent; if they are prepared in advance, they will be much more   willing to work with you if something arises which could impact your performance (and grade!) in the course.
• Continue to connect with your professors throughout each term; get THEM invested in your success. 
• Find a friend in each of your classes that you can rely on for sharing class notes if you miss a class (and also to study with!).
• Ask for help! Join the Student Parent Association (SPA) to have other student parents to relate with, to exchange tips with, and network with (this can be handy in case you need last minute babysitting).
• Coordinate baby-sitting and study time with other student-parents. Take turns watching the children and studying.
• Establish a back-up care plan and identify options for emergency and sick child care.
• Study wherever you can and whenever you can.
• Study with your child! If you are reading, have your child read – it’s never too early to start. If you are writing, give your child a pen and paper, and just let his or her imagination run wild. Even if the children are just looking at pictures, it’s a great way to introduce them to books. They will see you doing it, so when it comes time for them to go to school, they will have established good study habits.
• If you are just getting back into school, try taking only one or two classes to ease back into it. You will get a feel for the workload, and then progressively work your way up to being a fulltime student.
• Never do more than you can handle. It is not worth the stress in the long run.
• Be aware of the many programs and services that are available on campus to help you connect with other students and also to help you cope with challenging situations; programs and services such as student life, counseling services, etc.
• Talk to as many people as you can (financial aid, day care provider, etc.) about grant money or other types of financial assistance, such as student loans, that you may be able to take advantage of.

*Some of these tips are adopted from the following websites: The Associated Students of Oregon State University and the New York University Student Resource Center.

The Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act

This act enables states to create a plan for the education of pregnant and parenting students, provide professional development and technical assistance to school districts, coordinate services with other state agencies, and disseminate information, among other activities.
For a fact sheet about the Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act, click here!