“If You Can Dream It, You Can Achieve It.” Parent Memorable Messages as Indicators of College Student Success

Abstract

This study investigated various aspects of parents’ memorable messages about college as they relate to indicators of college student success. Findings revealed that parents’ memorable messages about college focused on working (and playing) hard, the necessity of attending college, providing encouragement and support, and general advice based on parents’ own experiences. Although these message themes were not uniquely predictive of college student success, the students’ perceptions of message and sender characteristics emerged as significant predictors of cognitive learning indicators, learner empowerment, college motivation, and satisfaction with college. Theoretical and practical implications for findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• Parent communication
• Memorable messages
• College student success

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Bill Seiler and Jenn Anderson for their counsel on the manuscript as well as Colleen Colaner and Sai Sato Mumm for their assistance in coding the data.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haley Kranstuber

Haley Kranstuber (M.A., Miami University, 2008) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Kristen Carr

Kristen Carr (M.S., Texas Christian University, 2009) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Angela M. Hosek

Angela M. Hosek (Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2011) is a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies at Emerson College