Transcript Roots and Wings: Supporting Your Student at the U of C

Roots and Wings:
Supporting Your Student at the U of C
Welcome to the University of Calgary!!
“Children have to be educated
- but they also have to be left to educate themselves”
- E. Dimnet
Academic Plan
• The University of Calgary has committed itself to
providing a “high quality educational experience”
for students
…and that means YOUR student
• Student and Academic Services is an important
part of that educational experience
What Matters at University
Alexander Astin wrote What Matters In College based on
studies of over 20,000 students at 200 different institutions.
He identified four keys to student success at university:
1. Peer Group
2. Relationship with Faculty
3. Time dedicated to study
4. Involvement in co-curricular activities
A Year in Their Life
“The greatest gifts you can give
your children are
the roots of responsibility
and the wings of independence.”
~ Denis Waitley ~
A Year in Their Life
September
What to expect:
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Massive socialization as students become familiar with new peer groups and norms
Various expressions of independence
A move from parent-child relationship to an adult-adult relationship
What is available:
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U of C 101
Residence Life  orientation & Community Advisors
Get Involved in Life At U of C!
Disability Resource Centre
What to do:
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Talk to your student about situations they may encounter & responsible decision making
Allow your students to learn and make mistakes; Remind them you believe in them
Help them find the best (public transportation) route to campus
Encourage them to use a day planner or calendar
A Year in Their Life
October
What to Expect:
• Fluctuations between a need to be supported and a need to be independent
• Spending a considerable amount of time either studying or interacting with new
peers
• First holiday either away from home or returning to home after university
• Preparing for mid-term exams and first papers
What is available
• Counselling Centre  services, workshops
• Professors’ office hours
• Academic club resources
What to do:
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Ask your student how s/he is managing her or his time
Encourage your student to talk to their professors & teaching assistants
Show your student you care  care package, dinner, note, etc.
Recognize that your student will probably need some time alone to study
A Year in Their Life
November
What to expect:
• November Blues
• Fallout from mid-terms and papers - concerns about time management
• Fear of failure, confusion around academic/course requirements
What is available:
• Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO), Fine Arts Student Success Team
(FASST) and other faculty advisors
• Counselling Centre
What to do:
• Encourage your student to speak with his or her Academic Advisor
A Year in Their Life
December
What to expect:
• Exam stress
• Fear of disappointing friends and family - questioning the choice to go
to university
• Anxiety about the holidays - do I have enough money to travel home?
What will it be like?
What is available:
• Student Awards & Financial Aid
• Multi-Faith Chaplains Centre
What to do:
• Recognize that your student may need some time to be alone and study
A Year in Their Life
January
What to expect:
• New schedules!
• Mixed reactions - excitement about being back mixed with fear of finding out
grades and academic standing
• Minor struggles fitting back into peer groups initiated in September
What is available:
• Kinesiology & Campus Recreation
• Winter Workshops
• International Student Centre  Study Abroad workshops
What to do:
• Discuss expectation regarding grades with your student --- you will not receive a
copy of their grades
• Encourage your student to continue to participate in their on-campus activities
or to give a new activity a try
A Year in Their Life
February
What to Expect:
• ‘Old habits die hard’
• Typically a time where students reach out for help as time management/study
skill issues re-emerge
• Stresses regarding living arrangements for the upcoming year begin to surface
• Summer job search begins in earnest
• Reading Week
What is available
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Counselling Centre
Students’ Union (SU)
Residence Services
Career Services
What to do:
• Communicate with your student regarding your Reading Week expectations to
avoid misunderstandings
A Year in Their Life
March
What to Expect:
• Gearing up for final exam/hours of studying and writing
• Stress/anxiety issues begin to re-emerge
• Possible distance between high school friends begins to set in
• Money problems resurface or continue to build
• Questions begin to rise about next year
What is available
• Counselling Centre  services, workshops
• Student Awards & Financial Aid
• Academic Advisors
What to do:
• Encourage your student to decide on a major if s/he hasn’t already
done so
A Year in Their Life
April
What to expect:
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Period of reflection and self-assessment
Saying goodbye to new friends
Anxiety around returning home or moving elsewhere for summer employment
Questions begin to rise about next year
What is available:
• Residence life “farewell celebrations”
• Office of the Student Experience student leader celebration events
What to do:
• Prepare yourself for your student’s new summer schedule, responsibilities &
interests
• Recognize that your student will be more comfortable with exams this time
around and that summer is only a few days away
A Year in Their Life
What can you do??
1. Encourage them to get involved!
Involved students are better connected, develop peer support
groups and feel more positive about their university experience.
2. Talk, talk, talk.
Call to find out how/what they are doing. This will open the door
for discussion when things become tough for them.
3. Encourage them to use the various support services we have available.
Visit U of C web-sites and you will find that we have a variety of
talented professionals on campus who offer a range of programs
and services to assist students.
Pass this information along…
A Year in Their Life
What can you do??
4. Try to understand what they are going through and accept that they
make mistakes.
5. Send care packages or offer a treat once in a while.
You have no idea how valuable treats and letters are in the middle
of exams.
6. Feel proud!!
You have supported and guided your student to attend the
University of Calgary.
A Year in Their Life
“There are only two lasting bequests
we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots, the other, wings.”
~ Hodding Carter ~