Support your student at university
Support your child or whānau at university. Understand their workload, how you can help and find support services if you’re worried.
University will require your whānau to be more independent and proactive than they are used to at secondary school—they can’t rely on the processes they know from NCEA. You may see changes in their personality and identity as their personal responsibility grows.
Understand their workload
Students often only have 12 to 15 hours in lectures and tutorials each week, but they’re expected to do additional work on their own, so motivation and organisational skills are essential. It’s expected that students spend two hours working independently—doing readings, research, lab or studio work, or writing assignments—for every hour of lecture or contact time. This adds up to 36 to 45 hours a week for most first-year students.
There may be down time at the start of the trimester, but when assignments are due or examinations are coming up, students will need to spend many hours studying. To help students prepare for academic success, the University provides a range of online resources designed to build study skills and support independent learning.
Offer to help
Your role as a parent won’t be so hands on anymore, but you can still offer to help. You could offer to proofread or check assignments. Keep in touch with your student, and let them know you’re still there to talk to. If they’re living away from home, keep up phone calls, emails, texts, and surprise care parcels.
Stay informed about what’s happening during the year by checking the University's key dates.
Encourage getting involved
University is not just about study, and it should be fun and rewarding. Encourage your student to get involved on campus, by attending Orientation events, and joining clubs or leadership programmes—or even just saying ‘hi’ to the person next to them.
Employment
About 80 percent of students at the University work as well as study. Employment helps pay for essential costs, as well as providing valuable work experience and key contacts when students are seeking full-time employment. You can help your student by providing feedback on their CV, and job hunting advice.
However, it is vital that students do not jeopardise their studies by working excessive hours. We recommend no more than 15 hours per week.
On-campus support
There are a range of services and programmes to make your student's experience at the University a successful one. All are run by friendly and experienced people who will provide information and guidance. You can point your student to our full range of student services and support.
If you’re worried
If you’re worried about your student's academic progress or health and wellbeing, talk to them first. Encourage them to approach the university’s support services.
If you have more immediate and serious concerns about their wellbeing or safety, talk to someone close to them—friends, halls of residence staff, flatmates—or if necessary, contact the Student Interest and Conflict Resolution team or Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling.
Students have the right to have their personal information and privacy respected, but the University is committed to supporting students who are at risk of failing, or who may have serious health or safety concerns.
Support before university
If your child or whānau is still deciding on university, explore our guidance to help them choose what to study, how to apply and understand available financial help and scholarships.