Parent Resources

A guide to a student's first year at ASU and the School of Politics and Global Studies

A student’s first year in college can be a daunting reality; especially for a parent. This page is meant to be a resource to parents in helping their student through college. The information may include deadlines, student life tips, or important topics. If you you have any questions, please email us at spgs@asu.edu.

Ordering books

Once students have registered, they may access their book list via their MyASU book link. The list details which books are required and which books are recommended. Students acquiring books from the ASU Bookstore may buy or rent their textbooks and may choose either new or used items.

Fall class block schedule

ASU freshmen are registered in their first semester in a class block. The class block system is designed to foster student-faculty connections and to develop a sense of community among students. Students in a class block share three courses which means they will have the same students in these courses. The rest of the fall schedule includes general education requirements such as math and English composition, humanities, social behavior courses or perhaps a language course.

Changing the fall schedule

Students should not edit their fall schedule without speaking to an advisor. Financial aid and scholarships can be impacted by schedule changes. Students can use their MyASU page to schedule an advising appointment to discuss schedule changes. We recommend that all changes be made by August 1.

All important deadlines are on the academic calendar:

http://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar

Use the academic calendar for deadlines for the A and B sessions.

Consult with Financial Aid and Scholarship Services prior to adjusting schedule: https://students.asu.edu/financialaid

Academic success tip #1

The best tip to reinforce with your student is to read all assigned readings before class! If they do this, they will follow the professor’s lecture more easily. If they read ahead, the lecture should be the second time they are exposed to the material. If they did not understand the reading, they will know to ask questions in class. Reading is often the “homework”.

Academic success tip #2

Study 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class. This is a tough one for many first-time students to comprehend! Your student may not know what “studying” actually entails. Studying includes reading the assigned text, outlining the readings, organizing reading notes with notes taken during class and completing review questions provided in the textbook.

Asking for academic help

Help with study skills and time management:

Academic Mentors: The University Academic Success Programs office has academic mentors that can help your student adjust to college by helping them learn to study. The academic mentor can help your student learn to study efficiently, know where to study, teach your student how to outline text and how to take good class notes. Academic Mentors: https://tutoring.asu.edu/student-services/academic-mentors

Help with writing:

Writing Center: ASU has Writing Centers that offer students assistance with writing. It is always a good idea for your student to have someone read their paper/assignment before handing it in. The specialists can offer suggestions for making a paper/assignment stronger. If your student needs more help with writing then a quick review, specialists are available to work with your students on an appointment basis. For more information: https://tutoring.asu.edu/

Help with math:

https://tutoring.asu.edu/student-services/tutoring

Help with Language:

For foreign language tutoring, view available tutoring sessions offered through the School of International Letters & Culture at the Tempe campus.