FAMILY BUSINESS NEWSLETTER-  February Issue

Moving Ahead…

After just a few weeks of the semester, most students are back to the weekly pattern of classes, reading, assignments, papers, and involvement in campus activities. Although they are feeling much more confident in their ability to manage the different aspects of their lives in college, the start of a new semester often brings new opportunities for involvement, and students have to be careful not to take on too much responsibility. It is important for new students to learn how to balance the academic, social, and physical aspects of being in college; it’s very tempting to spend more time on campus activities and less on academics, and it’s hard to say no to friends who want to be social and have fun! It only takes a few days for the class work to pile up, and students can quickly find themselves feeling overwhelmed with all they have to do. The typical stressors of the semester, coupled with changes in eating and sleeping habits that come with moving back to campus, can make students highly susceptible to colds and flu bugs; if students don’t visit Student Health Services promptly, they can wind up with much more serious illnesses that can linger for many weeks. 

For most first-year students, an important advising transition will occur in February. Students in good academic standing are transitioned from First Year Advising to their academic college, where upper division advisors will guide students through the remainder of their program requirements. In order for this process to run smoothly, students need to be sure that their major is listed correctly in Gulfline and to contact the First Year Advising if a change in major is necessary.

Although the second year of college seems far away, decisions about living arrangements for the summer and/or upcoming fall will be on the minds of many students. Will they live on campus for a second year, or find a place off campus? Will they continue to live with the same roommates or room with other people whose habits and lifestyle are a better fit with their own?  While most students are eager to take the next step in their personal independence by living off campus, they don’t always understand the financial and personal responsibilities that come with signing a lease for an apartment or a condominium, and they don’t think ahead to how different it will feel to commute to campus rather than live in the center of campus life.   

How Parents & Family Members Can Help:

• Discuss how to balance social activities with the work that is necessary to be academically successful.
• Encourage your student to check their holds on Gulfline after February 15, and take care of these issues as soon as possible. 
• Students often do not understand the academic transition from First Year Advising to their academic college. Help them learn about this process by referring them to our website.
• Discuss with your student what plans they may have for spring break in March.  Don’t be discouraged if your student doesn’t want to spend all (or any) of their spring break time at home. 
• Encourage involvement in an “alternative spring break” that combines travel with service learning or internship experiences. Students can check announcements about planned spring break activities at FGCU.
• Encourage your student to visit Student Health Services when illness occurs, especially if a fever is involved. Information on many health topics can be found on their website.
• Have a discussion of the plusses and minuses that would come with living off campus. What new expenses would exist? Who will pay for these costs? Are they ready to feel a bit disconnected from campus life? 

Important Dates:

• March 5-10         -Spring Break (no classes)
• March 23             -Last Day to Drop/Withdraw without Academic Penalty

Helpful Links for Parents and Family Members:

• First Year Advising
• Student Health Services