Communicating with Your Student Communicating with your student is more important to their success than you may realize. If you haven’t already, you should discuss their expectations as well as your own for what makes sense to stay connected during their transition. Feel free to utilize the following month-by-month grid for ideas about what to discuss with your student!
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Conversation Starters
Help them understand the benefits of getting involved in student organizations and/or fraternity/sorority life, participating in on-campus events, and establishing connections to necessary support services.
October
You can steer your student towards academic support resources, and also help them handle homesickness and other mental health issues.
November
Plan a family visit to campus (Family Weekend). Talk to your student about how it’s going with new friends and other relationships, and check in about academics.
Prepare your student (and yourself) for what to expect if/when they return home for Thanksgiving. Managing friendships at school and at home tends to be a big topic this time of year.
December
September
August
Your Role
It’s good to think ahead to winter break and revisit house rules. As fall semester wraps up, plan to talk to your student about what went well and their goals for spring semester.
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Are you thinking about checking out any clubs or organizations? Which ones look interesting?
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Have you considered a fraternity/sorority?
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Are there support resources that you anticipate needing this year?
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How are you settling in so far?
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Where have you been meeting people on campus?
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Tell me about your classes. Are they what you expected so far? What are you learning?
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Have you made an appointment to see your advisor? What did you talk about?
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How are you doing with your monthly budget?
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What are you missing about home? What are you enjoying the most about being on campus?
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How are you taking care of yourself? Are you finding time for exercise and study breaks?
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Tell me about the friends you’ve made at UIC.
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What do you want to do while you’re home for Thanksgiving?
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How are you feeling overall after this semester? Did it turn out the way you expected?
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What is one goal you have for spring?
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Let’s discuss our expectations for when you’re home over winter break.
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