Your Student's Support Team in the Classroom
Parents and families will hear different terms to refer to who is teaching their student’s classes.
Professor and faculty are often used interchangeably and refer to someone that teaches as part of their job responsibilities. Some solely teach, and some have other job duties like research or administrative functions within their department. The most important thing to know is they are there to teach & support your student!
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are typically graduate students who are providing additional support to students by teaching a discussion section or a lab. These are designed to deepen your student’s understanding of the material taught by the professor.
The term instructor may also be used, and instructor can be used for anyone that is teaching a course (i.e. professor, faculty, TA, etc.). All instructors hold office hours, which are regularly scheduled drop-in hours for your student to stop by to ask questions, talk to about the course, and build a relationship with their instructor.
Your students’ instructors are a great resource for your student to be successful and help them meet their academic goals. Encourage your student to connect with their instructors early and often!
Conversation Starters
Parents and families should have conversations with students that encourage self-reflection of academic habits and help-seeking behaviors. Some questions to get conversations started could be:
- What makes your favorite class your favorite?
- What are you learning that will help set you up for success in the future?
- What strategies are you using to stay productive or energized?
- What questions or topics are you going to ask your advisor about?
- When was the last time you asked someone for help?
- Are you planning to study abroad? Who on campus can help you begin that process?
Three Steps to Academic Success
As shared during your student's Becoming a Hawkeye day, Academic Support & Retention has three foundational academic behaviors for student success. Those behaviors are:
- Attend class.
- Do the reading before class.
- Take good notes.
Compiled below is a list of resources that students are often encouraged to use. For the most accurate list of resources available, your student should use the Find Help tool which can be found on the Tutor Iowa website.
Tutor Iowa
Tutor Iowa is the University's location for all things related to academic success. Your student can find resources like worksheets with helpful tips, information about tutors, and a comprehensive list of Help Centers.
Help Centers
Several departments on campus offer academic support including one-on-one consultations, technology services, tutoring, and more. Parents and family members can encourage students who need additional support to visit one of the centers available to them.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a free resource located in the Academic Resource Center (ARC) at the Iowa Memorial Union. These collaborative and engaging sessions require no sign-up and are hosted by upperclassmen who have had success in the course.