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Conversation Calendar

Designed to facilitate meaningful conversations about timely student issues, the Conversation Calendar outlines suggested conversations parents may want to have with their student.

Printed version of the Conversation Calendar You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the following PDF. You can download it here.

Before Arrival (June/July)

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What are you excited about? What are you worried about?

It’s important to share your student’s enthusiasm about a new experience. Moving to campus, meeting new people and learning new things can be very exciting. At the same time, they can be daunting. Avoid saying “These will be the best years of your life.” This could create a lot of pressure for a student who may begin to believe that nothing could or should go wrong. Acknowledging that there will be great experiences and tough challenges will ultimately help him or her learn to solve problems. The good news is there are a lot of campus resources and staff eager to help students through the tough times.

What would you like to accomplish in your first year at NC State?

Most students likely will say “get good grades.” Encourage your student to think a bit broader and consider what he or she wants to do outside the classroom – do community service abroad, join a student organization, continue current hobbies and interests, learn a new skill, etc. NC State University promotes events and activities to help students adjust to campus life the first year. It is important for students to stay in the know and to take advantage of these opportunities. By the second year, the university expects students to be involved or to know how to do so. It is also important to discuss realistic expectations for academic achievement at the university level. The average high school GPA for new freshmen is 4.28, while the average GPA for students at the end of their first year in college is a 3.07. This awareness may help your student and you have a more accurate vision of the upcoming year.

Eat Well, Be Active and Sleep

Research shows that as students enter college, their eating, physical activity and sleep habits may deteriorate. Based on the 2009 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment, only 4.2% of NC State University students get the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables, and only 50% meet the physical activity guidelines for adults. Additionally, nearly a quarter of students report that sleep difficulties interfere with academics. College is a critical time in development when good nutrition, daily physical activity and quality sleep can increase mental concentration, improve immunity from common illnesses, decrease depression and anxiety, and improve energy levels and self-confidence. A well student is a successful student.

Family finances and your college budget

Make sure your son or daughter knows how to balance a checkbook. Encourage him or her to develop a budget for spending money. Additionally, a conversation about credit card use and abuse is essential. Simply saying, “this is for emergency-purposes only” can take on a completely different meaning for students. See “Money Matters” in the Parents’ Handbook for more information.

Balancing your life and putting sufficient time on task to your studies.

The general rule for studying is 3 hours outside of class for every one hour in class. Another approach is to develop a 40-hour / week schedule that includes going to class, labs, tutorial sessions, meetings with professors/advisors and studying. Students who use these strategies often are surprised that there actually is enough time in the week to study well enough to both get good grades and to enjoy leisure/co-curricular activities. Plus, the most successful students build activities, such as participating in a student organization or doing community service, into their schedules. Being connected to the community can have a positive impact on academic achievement.

Sex, drugs, and rock and roll

It is important to revisit your family’s core values in conversations about sensitive issues students will face at college. Presenting scenarios that may challenge your son’s or daughter’s values and asking them how they would react will serve as an affirmation for when they will have to negotiate with roommates, friends, faculty and peers.

You should also advise your student what the consequences would be should he or she incur a conduct violation. Most parents do not expect their students to commit conduct violations—and most will not, to be sure. But, just as you held them accountable for bad choices in the first 18 years of their lives, you also have the opportunity to help them learn that bad choices made in college will continue to have consequences throughout their lives.

NC State University expects students to behave in accordance with state and federal laws as well as university rules, regulations, and policies. A complete list of university policies, rules and regulations is available at policies.ncsu.edu. Additional community standards for University Housing can be found at www.ncsu.edu/housing/standards/index.php.

Safety - physical and virtual

NC State University is a big campus in an even-bigger city – neither have gates. Students, staff and faculty are all subject to the same dangers on campus that they would be in any metropolitan area. Remind your student to use good common sense when it comes to personal safety – walk in groups, lock room and suite doors, never prop open doors to suites, stairwells or buildings, do not leave personal or private belongings unsecured, etc. Additionally, in this age of technology, students are also subject to the dangers of the virtual world. It is wise for students to protect their electronic information by taking such precautions as logging off their computers when not in use and avoiding sharing too much personal information in online communities, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Develop a family-emergency-communication plan

NC State University has a plan for how it will communicate with students and their families in the event of a campus crisis (inclement weather, flu outbreak, shootings, etc.) It is equally important for your student and you to know how you will communicate with one another in such an event – beyond cell phones. Exchange all contact info, identify a friend or relative as a back-up contact, e-mail or send an Instant Message. See “Staying Safe” in the Parents’ Handbook for more information.

Expectations for class attendance

Students ultimately make the decision whether or not to attend class. They no longer have the safety net of parents waking them up in the morning nor do teachers ask where they have been when absent from classes. Emphasize with your student that class attendance is an essential ingredient to academic success. He or she should also know there are policies and procedures for when a student does miss class. If your student ever has to miss class for a long period of time due to illness or a family crisis, be sure tell your student to inform his/her professors directly and academic advisors if needed. Advisors will have advice about catching up on class assignments and other course responsibilities. The university’s Attendance Regulation may be found in the Parents’ Handbook and at www.ncsu.edu/policies.

Reporting grades to parents, Sending tuition bills home

NC State University does not automatically mail grades or tuition statements home. Federal law prevents the university from sharing confidential information, such as grades and financial information, with anyone without a student’s consent. NC State University expects our students to share important academic information with those who have a need to know, such as parents. See the “Accessing Student Grades and Information” in the Parents’ Handbook for additional information.

Tapping campus resources (tutors, counselors, health services, advisors)

With over 34,000 students, staff cannot always know when a student needs assistance. Encourage your student to reach out for help when he or she needs assistance with a problem, wants to get involved, or just needs to talk with someone. See “Student Services and Programs” in the Parents’ Handbook for descriptions of student services, programs, and contact information.

Staying in touch

It is important to call…but not too much. In fact, establishing a regular routine for when and what time you plan to call one another can help ensure that you have regular contact with your son or daughter. How often your student and you communicate may likely decrease over the course of the first year. Not only is this developmentally appropriate, it is necessary for young people to become more independent and to seek support from resources on campus and peers.

Compliance with entry-immunization requirements

North Carolina Public Health Law requires proof of immunizations to protect students while at NC State University. If immunization requirements are not met, university regulations require that a student be dropped from classes. Immunization dates and personal medical history information must be submitted online at healthcenter.ncsu.edu/before-you-arrive. If you have questions about immunizations, you may
call (919)515.7233, email immunizations@ncsu.edu, or check requirements at healthcenter.ncsu.edu/about-us/ourpolicies/immunization-compliance.

Knowing your medical insurance company & policy number

Accidents can happen. It is always a good idea for students to know their medical policy information in the event of an emergency. The University of North Carolina requires the majority of students to have creditable medical coverage. Students must “waive out” of the university endorsed plan by going online to www.studentinsurance.com, select NC State as your institution and provide the requested documentation of existing coverage. Otherwise, the student will be automatically enrolled in the university’s student insurance plan (Pearce and Pearce:(888)622.6001, www.studentinsurance.com).

Does my student need medical insurance?

NC State University requires most students to have comprehensive medical insurance coverage. Students must provide documentation of creditable coverage or will be automatically enrolled in the UNC system-wide plan. Applications are accepted until September 15 for a university-endorsed policy. For more information, contact Pearce and Pearce at (888)622.6001, www.studentinsurance.com.

Getting your computer ready for school

NC State University’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) requires that students install antivirus software on their computers. Students may download free antivirus software from oit.ncsu.edu/antivirus. OIT also strongly recommends that students keep their operating systems patched and up-to-date with the latest updates available. Students should keep track of their Unity passwords and never share them with others to ensure their accounts remain secure. See oit.ncsu.edu/resnet/security for more information on computer security.

Changing your Unity password

Students must change their Unity password from the original password (a combination of their Campus ID number and date of birth) before they can use the MyPack portal to register for classes. Go to www.ncsu.edu/password.

University’s policies on copyright

It’s against the law to download copyrighted movies or music. Learn more at www.ncsu.edu/copyright.

August

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Tell me what it is like living in the residence hall.

Talking points – roommates, making friends, Resident Advisor, stuff to buy, etc. They will probably tell you if they need something that costs money, but feeling at ease socially may make or break the NC State University experience. Listen for clues about new friends and activities.

How’s the relationship with your roommate?

Students often come to college with the expectations that their roommates are or will be their best friends forever. This occasionally happens. However, most often it does not. Setting realistic expectations for these relationships may help create a more collaborative living arrangement conducive to respect and negotiation as opposed to social priorities. Encourage your student to use the “Roommate Agreement” provided by University Housing staff to negotiate study hours, cleaning responsibilities, sleeping habits, visiting hours, etc. This document will be useful should a conflict arise in the future – and it will.

Parenting a commuter student?

Feeling connected to NC State is vital to every student’s success. Encourage your student to stay on campus between classes and get involved in a student organzation. Stress the importance of establishing a quiet, comfortable space in which to study, both at home and on campus. Freshman commuters are invited to a special event on Sunday, August 12 at 4 p.m. in 3118 Talley Student Center to help them get acquainted with services for commuting students.

What are you doing to meet new people and learn about campus?

It is important for students to get out of their rooms the first week and explore what campus has to offer. Wolfpack Welcome Week hosts multiple events every day, during the first week of classes, intended to help students meet other students. The schedule includes activities, such as celebrity motivational speakers at Convocation and exciting events, such as Friday Fest and Service NC State. A calendar of student events is available on line at www.ncsu.edu/welcomeweek.

You do not have to be an extrovert or “the life of the party” to connect with others at NC State. There are many opportunities to meet people in smaller settings with more focus on an area of academic or social interest.

How’s your class schedule?

There are many students with schedule issues the first week. Are they in the correct classes? Do they have enough hours (12 hours is considered full-time)? Most students are not overwhelmed with course work the first week, but it is important to start establishing good work habits. Dropping in on professors during their office hours is also a good activity for students to pursue the first week. Many students find this activity intimidating. Suggesting that they go with a classmate may help to relieve some of the anxiety. See the Student Success website at www.ncsu.edu/studenthandbook/success for suggestions.

Do you have your books yet?

This is usually a good question for parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors. You would think it was a given that students buy their books, but you might be surprised.

September

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How are you doing academically?

By the end of September, students most likely will have graded assignments and tests returned to them. If there are academic concerns at this point, now is the time for support. Encourage your student to talk to professors, study with classmates, take advantage of the tutorial services on campus and get advice from advisors on success strategies. Too often parents find out about poor academic performance when final grades are assigned and it is too late to recover from the low grades.

How are you feeling about being away from home? How are you adjusting to college?

Hopefully, the answers to other questions should give you some sense of this already. If at any time during the year you find yourself worried about your son’s or daughter’s moods or behaviors, or if he or she has experienced a trauma or a loss, your suggestion to seek counseling can be very influential. Quite often your son or daughter will be receptive to the idea of counseling, in which case, you can suggest that he or she contact the University Counseling Center to make an appointment (919)515.2423.

Common Signs of Distress:

• Significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities
• Significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular or social activities
• Acting significantly withdrawn, volatile, tearful or odd
• Acting out of character, different than usual
• Talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide
• Difficulty concentrating, difficulty carrying on normal conversations
• Excessive dependence on others for company or support
• Feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts or behaviors

What plans are you making for internships or other career-related experiences?

This may be hard to believe, but it is not too early for your student to begin thinking about gaining career-related experience. Employers visit campus and want to meet students. The Career Development Center offers resources, programs and services to help students prepare and succeed with their career preparation. Visit careers.ncsu.edu for more information.

In what campus activities are you participating?

Are they finding activities that interest them, and what are they? Are they interested in fraternity and sorority rush, or perhaps they would like to join another type of student organization? Leadership, organizational and social skills are most often developed outside of the classroom. Students who want to maximize their college experiences take advantage of the many opportunities available to them on campus. Plus, many students find their social niche through out-of-class activities. There are over 600 student organizations at NC State University (www.ncsu.edu/sorc). It is also important to acknowledge how much time your son or daughter is spending with co-curricular activities. Too much or too little involvement may have a negative impact.

How much time are you spending on the computer?

This is also an opportunity to gauge how much leisure time your student is spending on the computer. In this technology-oriented world, students use their computers for much, if not all, of their communication. There needs to be a healthy balance. Technology should never take the place of face-to-face communication. Using e-mail, text messaging and Instant Messenger (IM) to communicate with professors, friends and family is OK. But, if your son or daughter reports handling a conflict with his or her roommate via IM, that’s a problem.

Additionally, online communities, such as Facebook and Twitter have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Students enjoy identifying new friends locally and long-distance. However, sharing too much personal information on the Web leaves students subject to unwelcome advances by strangers, exposure of intimate details, and/or access by 3rd parties, such as the media and potential employers. There is an increase in the number of instances students have not been offered a job because an employer has discovered distasteful and offensive language and/or pictures on a student’s online social profile(s).

Does my student need medical insurance?

NC State University requires the majority of students to have comprehensive medical insurance coverage. Students must provide documentation of creditable coverage or will be automatically enrolled in the UNC system-wide plan. Applications are accepted until September 15 for a university-endorsed policy. For more information, visit Pearce and Pearce @ 888.622.6001, www.studentinsurance.com.

Are you keeping in touch with the friends from back home?

This is really a question to identify if any important relationships from high school are on the rocks – particularly love interests. Our experience tells us September is a time in which many high school sweethearts – especially long distance relationships - have troubles. According to the University Counseling Center , the most frequent precipitant of serious emotional distress is the disruption of an important relationship with a romantic partner or a family member. These losses (or perceived losses) can be devastating, especially cumulatively. Encourage your student to seek help, to maintain other relationships, such as those with close friends, and to talk about the lost relationship. See “Stress, Anxiety and Difficulties Facing College Students” in the Parents’ Handbook for more information.

October

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Have you had your flu shot?

Student Health Services offers Meningitis and Flu immunizations at the campus clinic. Call (919)515.2563 for details.

What are you doing for Fall Break?

• Students may visit the Career Development Center at any time, but
  Fall Break is an especially good time for students to explore their career directions by learning about majors, minors and career choices. The Career Development Center offers online, group and personal assistance to help with this decisionmaking. October is also a very active month for career fairs.
  

• Students are invited to use breaks in the fall and spring to do national and international community service. See www.ncsu.edu/csleps/service/index.htm for more details.

What kind of cookies do you want me to bake for you?

OK, a little tongue-in-cheek. But actually, students report that they really do appreciate care packages from home. The Very Important Parent discount program offers parents great savings on care package services and a florist. See www.ncsu.edu/for_parents for more information.

What classes do you plan to take in the spring?

Advising for spring-semester registration begins in October. It is important for your student to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with his or her advisor to review options for spring’s class schedule. About 50% of students choose to change their majors at some point. If this is the case for your student, encourage him or her to meet with an advisor in Academic Advising Services (advising.ncsu.edu) to discuss possible options and relevant procedures. Academic Advising Services provides daily walk-in hours for students which are posted on their website.

What grades have you received recently?

This is also a good time to check in on grades for your student’s current classes. If there are academic concerns, there is still time to recover. As we said in September, encourage your student to take advantage of the resources on campus for assistance. See “Academic Success” in the Parents’ Handbook for a list of services.

Are we invited to Parents & Families Weekend with you?

We would love to have you visit campus, and we hope your son or daughter would like to host you. You will receive more information about Parents & Families Weekend in your fall PACKParents newsletter. Information is also available at www.ncsu.edu/for_parents.

November

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Do you know that we love you no matter what?

We consistently recommend to parents that they express to their student their unconditional love and support throughout the year, but this may be even more important a week or two before Thanksgiving. This is the time when students begin to realize what their grades may be at the end of the semester. This is a good time to ask students if they have any concerns about their upcoming grades. Have they shared the concerns with their advisor? This is also a time in which students realize that they are about to go home for the holidays. For many students, this may create anxiety. Students typically do not want to disappoint their parents, and this can lead to depression for some.

Most of our students have not experienced low grades or failure during high school. However, many students may not be as successful as they had hoped at the completion of their first semester in college. Over 40% of first semester students achieve less than a 3.0 GPA for their first semester. If there are indications of academic problems at this point, support may be the appropriate first response. A second response would be to encourage your student to talk to his or her advisor and come up with a “game plan” for the spring semester. In cases where academics have been impacted by medical, psychological or hardship factors, the University Counseling Center can be instrumental in academic interventions.

Normal responses to stress or loss if transient and limited in impact, may include:

• Sadness
  
• Withdrawal from social interaction
  
• Difficulty enjoying life
  

However, encourage your student to seek help when these last more than a few days or are accompanied by the following:

• sleep difficulties
  
• eating problems
  
• loss of interest in usual activities
  
• failure to enjoy even leisure and social activities
  
• feelings of worthlessness thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  

The University Counseling Center has walk-in appointments available daily. Please encourage your son or daughter to call (919)515.2423 or to go to the University Counseling Center located on the 2nd floor of the Student Health Center.
healthcenter.ncsu.edu/counseling-center

How have your values changed? (or something similar)

When your student comes home for breaks, you will recognize that he or she is changing. This is typically a good thing. The college experience is intended to bring about positive change for intellectual, social, physical, emotional and cultural growth. This development may also reflect a change in your son’s or daughter’s values. It will be helpful to you to have a sense of these changes so that you may discuss them and any implications for the family.

December

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How are you feeling about exams?

Stress and final exams go hand-in-hand. Most students feel a lot of pressure at the end of the semester and this may lead to anxiety. The University Counseling Center (www.ncsu.edu/counseling_center) and Health Promotion (www.ncsu.edu/health_promotion) offer a variety of workshops and resources that address these issues. Programs are offered throughout the semester and daily during the week before exams. Students will be reminded that they should get a good night’s rest before their exams, eat healthy meals and learn stress-management strategies. Many of these programs may also be offered in the residence halls.

This is also a good time to mention the importance of academic integrity. Stress can lead to students feeling the need for an “easy way out” to obtain the better grade. In the event your son or daughter is struggling, you can help him or her identify alternatives, such as taking an incomplete, talking with professors about extending deadlines, etc. Parents & Families Services is happy to assist with identifying viable alternatives.

What are your plans for Winter Break?

Ahhh – home for the holidays. You are most likely very excited to have your son or daughter home for an extended period. Time to reconnect, visit with family and have a few extra hands to help around the house. On the contrary, your student may be thinking that winter break is a good time to catch up on sleep, eat home-cooked meals three times a day, get attention from Mom and Dad, and maintain his/her freedom to come and go as he/she pleases. Discussing each other’s hopes and goals for the break may help avoid conflicting interests and make for a more peaceful holiday.

January

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What are your hopes for this semester?

As with the new calendar year, the new semester brings opportunities to make resolutions for change. If last semester’s grades did not meet your student’s or your expectations, remind your son or daughter that you love them no matter what, let him or her identify the possible problems, and discuss plans for improvement for the spring semester. See “Academic Success” in the Parents’ Handbook for suggestions. Perhaps, your student is eager to get more involved on campus or has goals of study or service abroad. Identifying those goals now in order to meet deadlines and make financial plans will help your student get closer to achieving his/her vision.

How are things with your roommate?

In August, roommates living in campus residence halls negotiate and sign a roommate agreement that outlines expectations each may have for sharing a room, such as quiet hours, when to have visitors, etc. As each student changes, so will the routine and expectations of roommates. Using the beginning of the semester to renegotiate their “agreement” may ward off potential conflicts down the road.

What are you doing this summer?

Start thinking about summer plans as soon as possible. Encourage your student to visit the Career Development Center in the fall semester to further explore career directions. Then, early in the spring semester, the student should prepare for the summer job or internship search. Plans for co-op can be made early, too! Students should also consider study or service abroad options as well as getting involved in student organizations as great steps in a career path. Taking summer courses is another option, which helps students graduate in a timely manner and may cost less in the long run. That lifeguard job might be fun, but unless your student is majoring in Parks and Recreation, it is not likely to move him/her any closer to a dream job.

Have you reapplied for financial aid or researched any new scholarships?

Applying for financial aid is an annual event.NC State University’s priority filing date for financial aid is always March 1 for the upcoming academic year. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid next year must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov. Your student and/or you will need your current federal tax information to complete the FAFSA, but if you have not filed your taxes it is fine to use estimates when reporting tax information. Go to www.ncsu.edu/finaid for more information or contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at financialaid@ncsu.edu or (919) 515.2421.

 

February

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Where do you plan to live in the fall?

University Housing will take reservations for housing for the next academic year during a two-week period in February. Students receive materials on this soon after their return in January. This process is conducted online, and there is a charge for cancellation after this point.

For off-campus housing options, your student should contact the leasing office of the specific complex for details. An off-campus housing fair is held on campus in April each year. In this case, be sure to have a conversation about the advantages and disadvantages of living off campus. Ensuring students continue to use campus resources and remain involved in campus life is critical to success of commuters.

What are you doing for Spring Break?

In addition to knowing the plan, this is a good time to see how the semester is going and to warn your student of “spring break malaise.” Students can get it in their minds that spring break is a wonderful time to get away from the stress of school. This is OK, unless, their brains resist getting back into the school mentality upon return. Indeed, many students come back to campus in body only. Their minds usually get back right about the week before exams. Suggest maintaining a to-do list even if it consists of “sleep in, visit friends and see a movie.” This will help maintain some sense of structure and make re-entry to class less bumpy.

What classes do you plan to take next fall?

Advising for fall-semester registration begins in March. It’s important for students to schedule an appointment with their advisors to review options for their fall class schedules, as well as any summer classes they may be considering. They should call or e-mail their advisors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

March

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Spring Break Safety

Spring Break can be a lot of fun - or it could be a nightmare! Much of this depends on the choices students make. If your student is venturing away from home, consider the following talking points as you discuss his or her travel plans.

• Alcohol Use & Abuse - legal drinking age for the destination, your expectations, using a designated driver, not taking drinks from strangers, not leaving drinks unattended, risk of sexual violence due to drugs placed in drinks, feeling confident about choices not to drink
  

• Personal Safety - exchange contact information, contact information for hotel or other accommodations, emergency services at destination (911 doesn’t work in all countries), safety kit (medications, bandages, condoms), not bringing strangers back to hotel, not appearing lost, staying off balcony rails

• Staying Healthy - staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, accessing local medical help

• Travel Safety - not driving when tired, local traffic laws, accessing embassies when abroad, foreign travel customs

• Spending Wisely - setting and sticking to a budget, expectations for using or not using a credit card, how to get extra cash in an emergency
  

When are you meeting with your academic advisor?

Students should make an appointment to meet with their advisor to discuss their upcoming class schedules and their progress in their current classes. About 50% of students choose to change their major at some point. If this is the case for your student, encourage him or her to meet with an advisor in Academic Advising Services (advising.ncsu.edu) to discuss possible options and relevant procedures.

What grades do you expect to get in your classes?

At NC State University, instructors are encouraged to provide evaluative feedback to students so they have a better understanding of their academic progress in a particular course. If your student receives an academic progress report or if there are signs of academic difficulty, here are some tips/advice to share with your son or daughter.

• Your student has some time to recover. The important thing is to plan, not panic. Ask “What went wrong?” “What are some possible remedies?” Academic progress reports will let students know if they received low test scores, have poor class attendance, missed assignments, etc.
  

• Availability of Resources - “Have you explored the use of a tutor, help sessions, or a study group?” “What other resources has the professor made available?” See “Academic Success” in the Parents’ Handbook for a list of resources.
  

• Appointment with the Instructor - “Have you made an appointment with your instructor?” Meeting with the professor after and before each test is the single best way to identify weak areas and make a plan
  for improvement.
  

• Appointment with the Academic Advisor - “Have you discussed your academic progress report with your advisor?” Advisors can assist with identifying helpful resources.
  

• Appointment with the Counseling Center - Academic difficulty
  is often the result of other issues, financial struggles, relationship challenges, career direction, etc. Counselors can help students to identify problems and define solutions.
  

April

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How is your preparation for exams going?

Yes, it is that time of year again. Just as in December, students may feel overwhelmed with their classes, projects and other assignments. However, spring semester exams present their own challenges with warm weather and other distractions. Students may also be anxious about exams. The University Counseling Center (healthcenter.ncsu.edu/counseling-center) and Health Promotion (healthcenter.ncsu.edu/health-promotion) offer a variety of workshops and resources that address these issues. Students will be reminded that they should get a good night’s rest before their exams, eat healthy meals and learn stress management strategies. Many of these programs may also be offered in the residence halls.

May

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Let's discuss the rules for being back at home.

Just as with Winter Break, parents and students may have different expectations for each other for the summer. Discussing expectations for coming and going late at night, attendance at family events, household chores, visiting hours for friends, money management, use of car, Internet and phone will be helpful as you prepare for your son or daughter to come home again.