We know that purposeful parental engagement can strengthen the student experience and promote academic achievement, exploration, individualization and adult independence. As such, the College seeks to partner with parents and families as we all work toward supporting this development and student success.
Supporting Your Student
At Holy Cross students are challenged to explore and discover their interests, gifts, talents and beliefs. As emerging adults, we hope your student is progressively taking steps to develop greater confidence and self-authorship as they make decisions regarding their academic and cocurricular pursuits and involvements.
As you navigate how to best support your student through College, please consider the following strategies:
Encourage self-authorship
Let your student take the lead and drive their educational, personal and career journeys. Don’t jump to solve challenges for them; rather, allow them some time to think and talk through the challenge, and suggest resources that may help them.
Seek to Understand
Ask your student purposeful questions (see conversation starter suggestions below) to better understand their college experience and to discover emerging interests, passions and involvements.
Promote Exploration
Encourage your student to explore and take risks in academic, experiential, and cocurricular pursuits.
Stay Connected
Stay connected to happenings at the institution: Check your email, read the Holy Cross Monthly newsletter and Holy Cross Magazine, follow College social media and attend programs. Make sure you have completed the Family Information Form to ensure you receive communications from the College.
Raise Concerns
If you have a concern about your student’s well-being, please be in touch with us.
Conversation Starters
As your student navigates their journey into and through Holy Cross, you can expect your role and conversations with them to evolve and change. Each year comes with new opportunities and challenges. Consider using these conversation starters as potential ways to discover more about your student’s experience and to consider how you can offer them support. Conversation starters will be updated a few times throughout the year, so be sure to revisit this page.
- Looking back upon the past semester, what were your greatest joys? What were your greatest disappointments? Which of your classes last semester spoke to you?
- What goals have you set for yourself this semester academically and personally?
- What new programs or activities do you hope to pursue this semester?
- Have you begun to think about housing for next year and who you might live with?
- What opportunities are you considering for the summer?
- For seniors, what experiences do you want to fulfill from your Holy Cross bucket list?
Students are provided with a wide breadth of opportunities outside of the classroom that support what they are learning in the classroom. Encourage your students to explore during their time at Holy Cross. Here are some offices that can help support your students' exploration and discovery.