• Families

    While we encourage student growth and independence, we recognize that families play an active and supportive role in helping students make important choices and plan for their future. Applying to college and finding ways to pay for college can be interesting and at times seem like a complicated process. We are here to assist you as you navigate the many opportunities available at the college. We’ll do our best to make this a simple, clear, and exciting process for you and your student.


    Below you will find valuable information and resources to support your student in planning and preparing to attend LaGuardia.





  • Applying to LaGuardia


    During this stage you can support your student by having a discussion about their interests and aspirations and helping them to explore majors that best fit their career goals. As your student applies and enrolls to the college they will need to fill out forms, submit documents, meet deadlines, take tests, and attend events. You can make the process go more smoothly by helping them keep track of dates, prepare for tests, organize files and papers, and provide the gentle reminder about appointments and deadlines.


    Apply
    Explore Majors
    Explore Careers
    College FAQs
    Support Services
    Academic Calendar
    Student Catalog









  • What to Expect


    Each student is different. Some students adjust quickly, and some take time to adjust to college life. We provide a number of activities and resources to help students acclimate. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in all activities, as they are meant to help ease the transition into college.

    First Year Experience

    Encourage Independence and Responsibility
    • Help students to make their own decisions, learn from their failures, and enjoy their successes

    Be Realistic
    • Beginning a college career can bring with it many academic challenges. Be realistic about your expectations of grades and achievement.
    • Instead of asking about the grades, ask what your student is learning. After all, the goal is learning, not just making the grade. Students want you to feel proud of what they know and what they think.
    • Discuss the student’s new financial responsibilities. Establish limits and guidelines that fit both your needs and encourage responsibility.

    Be Flexible
    • Allow some room for growth as you negotiate changes in what your expectations are with what the student’s expectations and needs are.
    • Understand that college is much more challenging than high school.

    Be Informed
    • Ask questions that show you’re interested, not intrusive.
    • Know the campus resources and encourage the student to take advantage of the services available to them. Student involvement in clubs and organizations is not only a way to find positive ways to “fit in,” it can also facilitate better time management and coping strategies out of necessity. Involved students generally show greater academic success and develop much closer bonds with the college.


    • Are you going to class?
    • Are you studying at least 25 hours per week?
    • Are you reviewing the material in each class weekly?
    • Are you balancing study time with fun time?
    • Do you know when the last day to withdraw from a class is?
    • Are you starting your assignments early?
    • Have you seen your advisor?
    • Have you gone to your professors' office hours?
    • Are you going to need any tutoring?
    • Did you check your My LaGuardia page and email today?
    The transition from high school to college life can be overwhelming. Statistics reveal that mental health issues often emerge in the early twenties, so this is a critical time for your student

    √ Prepare your child: Talk to them about mental health and let them know you are there for them.

    √ Have a plan: All students, and particularly those who have already experienced mental health issues, should have a plan in place in case things get too difficult to handle. If your child is already receiving counseling services, make plans to continue that care.

    √ Encourage healthy habits: Many students sacrifice physical health for an extra hour of studying or staying out with friends. However, the importance of a healthy diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise cannot be overstated, particularly as they relate to overall mental health. Rather than lecturing your child about eating his or her vegetables, ask how they feel when they eat well or when they sleep poorly. Help them to connect self-care with emotional stability.

    √ Allow mistakes: It is important to let your child know that you support them, no matter what. Mistakes are an unavoidable part of life, and we can learn from them. A perfect GPA isn’t worth it if it comes at the expense of your child’s emotional well-being.

    √ Learn about the College’s mental health services: Here at LaGuardia, we offer free counseling and other support services to our students through the Wellness Center.

    Find more information about the Wellness Center.



    Possible Warning Signs of a Student in Distress

    Academic

    ● Significant change in grades (although it is very common for first-year students to have some trouble adjusting to academic differences)
    ● Missing classes or assignments
    ● Expressing distress over ability to keep up or succeed
    ● Expressing the feeling that they aren’t as good as their peers
    ● Refusing to talk about academics or grades

    Physical/Emotional

    ● Showing a lack of interest or pleasure in things that used to be exciting or engaging
    ● Frequently talking about being sad, nervous, afraid, angry or lonely
    ● Being more sad, frustrated, angry or nervous than warranted
    ● Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
    ● Having trouble coping with stress or setbacks
    See more information on helping a student in distress.









  • Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA)


    As a parent/guardian, you have the right to review your child's education records and to request changes under limited circumstances. To protect your child's privacy, the law generally requires the College to ask for written consent before disclosing your child's personally identifiable information to individuals other than you. Learn more.





  • Campus Safety 


    Like you, we care about campus safety, and we work hard to provide a safe, secure environment for our students, faculty and staff.


    Public Safety
    Emergency Guide