Parents
ACCION was created for you and your child! It is our goal to ensure Latino students prepare for college early in their high school career. We are here to help you guide your son/daughter to academic success. There is a lot of information to understand, but it is all learnable. At each Accion session, we will teach you all about the college process. What you child learns, you will too. This is a brief overview of what you will learn every year.
Congratulations on taking the first step toward helping your son/daughter reach their dream for a college education!
I. Establish a Routine for Studying
Start by creating a “college-going” atmosphere in your home. It takes the support of all family members to create an environment for learning. Ask your son/daughter to explain to everyone in the household why he/she wants to go to college. Understanding the goals of your son/daughter will create respect for his/her dreams and set an example for the rest of the family. Your son/daughter will need lots of motivation and encouragement from all family members to study above and beyond what is normal.
1. “Do not criticize. Rather, point out what needs to be done.”
First: Help your son/daughter create a daily routine: Encourage him/her to make a schedule for completing chores, homework and recreation/ fun time.
Tips: Refer to the Student Section of the Accion website to see what is recommended. Note: If your son/daughter plays a sport, then this schedule will have to be modified.
2. “Thinking is the hardest work to do; that is why so few people do it.”
Next, help your son/daughter become disciplined and responsible for his/her actions. Show him/her how to have a strong work ethic. Explain to him/her how to concentrate on preparing work to be proud of completing.
Tips: An average high school student should be reading up to two hours
each night. The vocabulary on the college exams are not usually spoken in a
home setting, thus reading will give your son/daughter the needed vocabulary.
3. “Sacrifice is giving up something good for something better.”
Then, help your son /daughter prioritize what is most important in his/her every day life. Homework comes first. Watching TV, playing on the computer or video games or talking on the phone comes last, especially during the school week. Your son/daughter may not be responsible enough to know how to organize his/her schedule. Help him/her to reach their dreams by working together to follow a schedule.
4. “Don’t wait for success, plan for it!” Finally, help your son/daughter set daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. Every goal provides the necessary motivation to work steadily. Remind him/her that everything is learnable with dedication and hard work. Remember, your child is not alone, he/she has you! You have Accion to guide you.”
II. Understand the College Application Process
Accion will help every parent with every step of the way towards understanding the application process. Your son/daughter will have to complete this process in either paper or computer form. We will help you to know what your son/daughter has to do.
One of the most important parts of the application is the “Personal Statement”. Your child will need lots of practice to write an excellent essay.
Help your son/daughter keep a file on all of their extra-curricular activities. He/she will need to remember all that he/she has done over the 4 high school years.
a. School activities
i. School leadership: Student Council, tutoring, etc
ii. Clubs: Speech and Debate, Social Club, Club Unity, etc
b. Community activities
i. Volunteering for community activities
Helping at community centers
Helping at convalescent homes
Helping at church activates
c. Jobs
i. Babysitting, gardening, paper routes, etc.
Tips: Refer to our ACCION FAQ page if you have any specific questions you want answered.
III. Understanding the Financial Process
Accion understands the pressure and urgency you must feel regarding paying for your child’s college education. This is a very important aspect of the application process.
You will need to fill out the form during your son/daughter’s senior year. The FAFSA is the application form, Accion will explain to you in great detail.
IV. Meet all Deadlines
Accion will clearly let you know the calendar dates for exams, application due dates and the FAFSA due date. It is imperative your son/daughter and you turn in the required forms on the or before the due date.
Thank you for referring to the Accion website and teaching sessions. We wish you and your son/daughter the best.
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