Johns Hopkins Family Insider Guide

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We are strong believers in the importance of a student's support system as they tackle the challenges and opportunities of college. Whether you are the parent, grandparent, stepparent, guardian, family friend, counselor, coach, or mentor of a college student, you can have a positive impact on the student you care about and their success.

This guide touches on many important and helpful topics. There are additional resources on CollegiateParent.com

Sincerely,

CollegiateParent provides print and digital resources for families of college students via our website and in partnership with colleges and universities across the US. Please visit COLLEGIATEPARENT.COM to get our latest tips, sign up for the Loop (our parent eNewsletter), and connect with us on social media.

INSIDER CONTENT (PART 2–PART 4) BY: Amy Baldwin, Ed.D., Rob Danzman, MS, NCC, LCMHC, Mindy East, Kate Gallop, Vicki Nelson, Cambria Pilger, LaTrina Rogers, Suzanne Shaffer, and CollegiateParent staff. To learn about our contributors, visit their author pages on COLLEGIATEPARENT.COM .

DESIGNED BY: Kade O’Connor © 2024 CollegiateParent. All rights reserved.

Welcome TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

To Our Newest Blue Jay Families,

On behalf of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Johns Hopkins University—welcome to the Nest!

We are thrilled to count you and your student as lifelong members of the Blue Jay Family. This guide has been prepared to help orient you to Hopkins. In it, you will find helpful information, websites, contact numbers and important dates from the academic year calendar.

We encourage you to visit registrar.jhu.edu to become familiar with the full academic calendar for 2024–2025.

The core of your student’s time at Hopkins will be spent exploring their academic interests and diving deeply into their major, including registering for classes, learning about major declaration, and the flexible curriculum that students can use to combine their interests.

We invite you to join us on campus for Family Weekend from September 27–29, 2024. This Homewood tradition is an excellent opportunity to spend time with your student, explore campus, and discover Baltimore. More information can be found at studentaffairs.jhu.edu/familyweekend

Most importantly, know that our Hopkins community is made up of caring and supportive faculty and staff. We will work tirelessly to ensure your student’s experience is one that helps them explore their academic interests, engage in student leadership opportunities, and develop into the

next generation of influential minds. Family Engagement is here to provide resources and support as you and your student navigate the university and the new and dynamic experiences that occur in the college environment. Please do reach out and let us know how we can support you and your student.

With best wishes,

Emily Calderone Executive Director, Student Transitions and Family Engagement

Maureen Kelly Assistant Director for Family Engagement

Important Dates

Fall 2024

August 26 ....................... Undergraduate classes begin

September 2 ................. Labor Day Holiday

September 27–29 ....... Family Weekend

October 17–18 .............. Fall Break

November 25–29 ......... Fall Recess

December 6 ................... Last day of classes

December 9–10 ........... Reading Days

December 11–19 .......... Exam Days

Spring 2025

January 2–20 ................ Intersession

January 20 .................... Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 21 ..................... First day of classes

March 17–21 .................. Spring Break

April 28 ........................... Last day of classes

April 29–May 2 ............. Reading Days

May 5–13 ......................... Exam Days

May 22 ............................. University Commencement

PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES

Department

Academic Advising (KSAS) advising.jhu.edu

East Baltimore: 410-955-5585

Homewood: 410-516-7777

Peabody: 667-208-6608

Academic Advising (WSE) engineering.jhu.edu/advising

Arts & Innovation studentaffairs.jhu.edu/ homewoodarts

Barnes & Noble Bookstore johns-hopkins.bncollege.com

for Social Concern studentaffairs.jhu.edu/ socialconcern

Center for Student Success studentaffairs.jhu.edu/studentsuccess

studentaffairs.jhu.edu/ counselingcenter

Financial Aid finaid.jhu.edu

Fraternity & Sorority Life studentaffairs.jhu.edu/fsl 410-516-4873

Gender & Sexuality Resources studentaffairs.jhu.edu/gsr

Gender-Based Violence Prevention studentaffairs.jhu.edu/chew/ gender-violence-prevention

studyabroad.jhu.edu

Health Promotion & Well- Being studentaffairs.jhu.edu/hpwb 410-516-8396

Hopkins Dining studentaffairs.jhu.edu/dining 410-516-3383

Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research research.jhu.edu/hour Hopkins Parents Fund giving.jhu.edu/information-forparents 410-516-3413

ID Card Services studentaffairs.jhu.edu/jcard 410-516-5121

Navigating Campus

Visit the following links to aid in getting around the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus!

͙ Driving Directions

͙ Interactive Campus Map

Maps & Directions

͙ Homewood Campus Map (PDF)

Transportation Services

͙ Homewood Campus Parking

͙ Blue Jay Shuttle Map and Schedule

Homewood Campus Map

Top Tips for Successful Students AND

THE FAMILIES THAT SUPPORT

THEM

By Vicki Nelson

Success in college means many things. First-year students want to get good grades and enjoy what they’re learning, but they also want to make friends and have fun and hopefully keep their busy lives in balance so stress doesn’t overwhelm them.

They can do it all if they manage their time wisely and make the most of the resources available on campus. Here are tips for your student, and you too!

Successful Students…

Spend Enough Time Studying

Sounds obvious, huh? Spending quality study time is one of the most important skills your student needs to master, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.

High school students spend most of their time in class and just a few hours daily on homework. College flips that equation. The general rule is that, for each hour spent in the classroom, college students should spend two to three hours on outside-of-class work. That means a student taking five threecredit classes (15 hours a week in class) should be spending 30 additional hours on work outside of class

Many new college students haven’t grasped this expectation and are shocked when they realize how much study time is required to stay afloat. There’s no need to panic. There are enough hours in the day; it’s all about how your student uses them.

Build Good Habits

This is a process. Adjusting to college life involves trial and error, mistakes and even failure. That said, your student makes choices every day that can make the difference between flailing and thriving. Here are tips to share.

ƒ Keep a time journal for a few days. You’ll see how much time you actually spend studying, socializing, sleeping, scrolling, at a campus job or club activities, etc. Identify the “time stealers.”

ƒ Put your planner to good use. The increase in free time in college doesn’t mean it’s really “free” — it just means you control how you spend it. Take charge. Block out study times in your planner and stick to the plan. Don’t underestimate how much time big assignments will take. Put everything in your planner, including study breaks, meals, socializing, and exercise.

ƒ Figure out where and when you do your best studying. Even night owls will need to fit in some study time during the day, and get out of the residence hall if it’s too distracting.

ƒ Limit phone time. It takes practice, but turning off your phone during designated study time will help you be more focused and efficient.

ƒ Spend time with friends who study. It’s easier to put in the time when the people around you are too. For your hardest classes, find an accountability partner who will help you stay on track, and join or form a study group.

Create a Support Network

Independence doesn’t mean handling everything on one’s own. As your student takes responsibility for their new life, they must learn to ask for help and use campus resources.

This includes professors and academic advisors (learn more on page 28), librarians, writing and STEM centers, tutoring, residence hall staff, the career

center, and health and counseling services. Encourage your student to visit all these buildings even if they’re not ready to make an appointment.

Seek Balance

A good way to feel refreshed is to find the hidden gems on campus and in the surrounding community. One of them may turn out to be your student’s happy place. Encourage them to explore! They may discover…

ƒ A quiet lounge or out-of-the-way corner of the library for studying, thinking or napping

ƒ A local park or trail

ƒ An art gallery or museum

ƒ A music practice room or empty concert hall

ƒ A chapel or meditation room

ƒ A coffee shop or the town library

How Can Family Members Help?

Expect the first semester to have ups and downs.

Keeping this in mind will help you prepare for whatever comes your way. For example, The Phone Call (or possibly a whole series of them). A few weeks or months in, after the initial honeymoon of loving EVERYTHING about college, your new student may express a pronounced dip in enthusiasm. Lots of things might be happening.

ƒ Roommate problems can start to surface.

ƒ Coursework gets harder; midterm grades can be an unpleasant reality check.

ƒ Students grow exhausted by the effort it takes just to function. Completing daily living tasks (getting to class on time, doing laundry, juggling school work with social life and a job) can feel overwhelming.

ƒ Some of your students’ first new friends may peel off and head in different directions, and they may not yet have found true friends who matter.

ƒ Homesickness can bubble up at any point. Students miss family, old friends, and their significant other from high school (if they had one). Everything at college is still so strange.

Be their sounding board and cheerleader.

Students and family members alike should remember that college is a marathon, not a sprint. When you keep the big picture in mind and expect bumps in the road, you won’t be jolted by the occasional pothole.

Your job is to listen and help your new college student maintain perspective. Sometimes they’ll call just to vent, but in other cases they may need help coming up with an action plan. You can discuss what good conflict management skills look like, and the importance of confronting uncomfortable situations, whether with a roommate or in a class where they’re struggling. Remind them of the resources available to them, and express your confidence that they can solve their own problems. They can do this, and so can you.

Getting Involved ON CAMPUS

CBy Kate Gallop

olleges have clubs for everything. Whether your student wants to get involved in sports, volunteering, advocacy, cultural groups, Greek life, or something related to their academic interests, there’s a club or organization ready to welcome them — or they can start their own!

Clubs are a great way for new students to extend themselves, make friends, continue the activities they love, and find new ones.

When I arrived on campus as a first-year student, everything felt so new. I woke up in a new room, found new classrooms, learned from new professors, ate new food, and met new people. It was exciting but also unsettling to be starting over completely. Each day I grew more used to my routine, but a few weeks in, something still seemed to be missing.

Then I attended an activities fair. I wandered around tables and wrote out my name and email possibly too many times. I followed up with clubs that looked interesting and went to a few first meetings. Before I knew it, I had joined the Club Basketball team. Playing a sport again helped me meet people who shared the same interest, fall into a healthy and comfortable routine, and feel more at home on campus. Greek Life, community service and mental health advocacy also drew me in.

Here are ideas to share with your student as they acclimate to their new campus community this fall:

Do Initial Research

In addition to activities fairs, your student can find a list of clubs with a short description and contact information by searching “campus life” or “student life” on the college website.

Ask Questions

When considering which groups to join, be sure to understand their expectations for members. This includes what the joining process is like, the time commitment, how lenient they are about attendance, and whatever else you’re curious about. This will help you anticipate if the club will be a good fit. It can be tempting to sign up for a ton of clubs — make sure you’re excited about each one you join.

Reach Out at Any Time

If you stumble upon a club that sounds fun, don’t be afraid to reach out, no matter how far into the semester it is. Some groups only accept new members at the start of the term, but contacting them will help you be aware of when you can join and your interest will be appreciated. My roommate emailed the photography club halfway through fall semester and attended her first meeting the very next week. And don't be shy! Everyone's new and in the same boat. Put yourself out there!

Support Other Activities

Supporting friends in their activities throughout the year is a great way to feel connected on campus. I attended improv comedy sketches, a cappella concerts, and fundraisers. Going to events around campus helps you meet new people, and you may even find something you want to join. Look at posters, follow student activities on social media, and ask around!

Don’t Try to Do It All

My first year in college, I felt pressure to find all the groups I wanted to join immediately. Looking back, I could have paced myself better. Activities are a great way to meet people but there will be time to try new things and get more involved as the semesters go by.

More Benefits of Campus Involvement!

1. Have Fun While Saving Money

Many campus activities are subsidized by student fees, meaning the charge for offcampus trips may be affordable even on a student's budget.

2. Get Better Grades and Persist to Graduation

Students who get involved on campus tend to have higher rates of retention and graduation, as well as higher GPAs. Juggling classes, homework, and outside interests requires good time management skills (a key to college success), and building meaningful connections can make all the difference to your student’s well-being.

3. Create a Network with Little Effort

Everyone your student meets has the potential to change their life, whether it’s their fellow students or, in the case of organizations with national chapters (such as Greek life and volunteer groups), a much larger network of people who can open all kinds of doors.

Residential Life

AND YOUR STUDENT’S PERSONAL GROWTH

By LaTrina Rogers

First-year students are starting a new chapter: college! It’s a new chapter for parents, too.

As a Director of Residential Life, I know it’s not easy to leave your student on their own, whether this is the first or third time you’ve taken a child to college. It’s natural to experience a myriad of emotions, and sometimes anxiety predominates. You’ve been nurturing your student through every stage of life, and the thought of not being there as they navigate new experiences can be nerve-wracking. These emerging adults are still your babies!

Campus housing staff are aware of how parents are feeling during the first semester of their student’s college journey. Many institutions offer programs, groups and events for family members to create a community of support. We’re there for you even as we encourage you to step back a bit to show confidence and trust in your student. Giving them space to develop into the person they desire to become is one of the goals of higher education.

Your first-year student’s living situation will play an important role in their adjustment to college. Schools want students to have a positive residential life experience! But it’s important to remember that there is no way to completely avoid some level of awkwardness or adversity during a student’s time on campus.

In recent years, I’ve found that many parents have unrealistic expectations of campus housing staff. There can be a “customer service” mindset, often accompanied by a sense that campus housing has an obligation to make things right for the customer (whether that’s the student or parent).

To avoid confusion and disappointment about campus housing policies and processes, here are three things it can be helpful to understand:

1. Communication will come from your student (not housing staff).

Many parents expect to receive a high level of personal attention from campus housing staff and get a phone call whenever there’s an issue with their student. In fact, college students are considered adults, and laws such as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) are in place to protect their privacy.

There are staff available to support students in every aspect of the college experience. But it is the student’s responsibility to reach out for assistance. There are many ways students can connect with campus resources, and procedures in place for students who are struggling, whether academically or personally.

Housing staff will not call parents at every point of adversity; instead, it’s the student’s responsibility to communicate with their parents or guardians. However, housing staff can call parents for drug- and alcohol-related issues or when a student is a danger to themselves or others.

2. We’re devoted to students’ well-being, but don’t keep tabs on them.

Another common expectation some parents have is that campus housing staff will help them track the whereabouts of their students. We often hear from parents concerned because their student isn’t returning their calls or texts. Parents even arrive on campus and want to enter a student’s room “just to check in.”

We understand parents worry if they don’t hear regularly from their student. It takes a while to get used to the fact that you no longer know at all times where they are and what they’re doing. It’s natural to want to make sure they’re okay.

However, most residence halls have visitor policies which apply to family members, too. And unless it’s an emergency, there’s not much housing staff can do about locating a student who is not in their room or answering their phone. If there is an emergency with a student who hasn’t been seen or heard from for a specific amount of time, typically that situation is referred to Public Safety.

Take some time during these early days of college to make a plan with your student about how often you will text or talk. This will put your mind at ease.

3. Your student will learn to do things on their own!

Over the years, I’ve had parents make some jaw-dropping requests such as personally waking up their student for class, cleaning rooms and helping students pack for move-out. Maybe because I’m known as “The Dorm Mom,” they assume I’ll do things for students that the students’ own parents might do at home.

I believe that these expectations spring from love and concern for their children. But since my goal is to foster independence, I encourage students

to take care of things on their own. I’m always happy to help by providing clarification, verification or assistance finding resources to complete a task. And I’ve led classes in the residence halls (and taught private one-onone lessons) on cooking, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry and even time management.

College is a time of growth, and campus housing is the perfect supportive space for this growth to happen.

So, keep the lines of communication with your student wide open. Ask them what challenging situations they faced this week, what campus resources they took advantage of — and what they learned about themselves and their own capabilities along the way.

LEARNING TO Manage Money

By CollegiateParent

For first-year students, one of the biggest challenges outside the classroom is learning to manage money. They’re now responsible for paying for all sorts of things on their own, from textbooks and groceries to laundry and an occasional haircut.

They’re also responsible for their university Student Account and making sure tuition and fees are paid on time. If you’re paying these bills, your student can add you as an Authorized User, but keeping them in the loop about college costs is a great way to help them gain financial literacy and understand the investment you’re making as a family in their education.

Beyond this, parents can play a key role by helping students make a budget and keep an eye on the money going in and out of their bank account. Printable budget worksheets are easy to find online and there are many good smartphone budgeting apps.

The Fall Spending Money Budget

If you didn’t do this before the start of the school year, take time now to make a list with your student of their flexible/ recreational expenses (everything besides tuition, room, board, and student fees — although if they’ll contribute to these, put them in the budget as well).

Flexible expenses may include:

ƒ Textbooks

ƒ Clothing

ƒ Electronics and school supplies

ƒ Toiletries and other personal items

ƒ Dorm furnishings

ƒ Laundry money

ƒ Food/drink outside of the meal plan

ƒ Entertainment

ƒ Local travel (bus pass, Uber trips)

ƒ Recreational travel and trips home

ƒ Sorority/fraternity or club dues

Next, estimate how much each item will be and agree on who’s paying for what, taking your student’s income into consideration. Their income will come from their savings, earnings from a campus job (if they will work), and possibly an allowance from you. Make it a goal for your student to maintain a certain level of savings.

The ease of buying things online and with their phones means small purchases can get out of control. Peer pressure is another factor that can cause students to overspend, so talk about how they may need to say no sometimes to an activity or purchase that a roommate or friend doesn’t think twice about. On this subject, be clear about what will happen if they don’t stay within their budget (in case they assume you’ll automatically bail them out).

“ Financial literacy can make the difference between building upon a good financial foundation from the start or learning from mistakes. It can help teens and young adults get through the ups and downs of life and provides a sense of security. ”

— Lisa Paniccia, author

of

ABC’s for Financial Independence

Fall semester will involve some experimentation. Your student may easily stay within their budget or run short each month. Over winter break, you can look back together at the experience and help them revise their budget for spring semester based on what they learned.

The Perks of Campus Employment

A great way to balance income and spending is to get a campus job. A comprehensive NASPA study found that college students who work parttime during the school year get better grades than those who don’t, probably because they need to be more focused, organized and conscientious about budgeting time for study. Finding a job in the local community is an option, but on-campus positions have special advantages. The hours are usually flexible, and supervisors will accommodate your student’s class schedule. Student employees meet more of their fellow students as well as more faculty members, administrators, and staff — a great network for career mentorship, professional references, and all-around support.

If Federal Work-Study is part of your student’s financial aid package, they can research and apply for available work-study positions, but there are usually plenty of campus jobs to go around for any student who wants one. Departments that hire students may include the admissions and alumni offices, recreation center, library, dining facilities, bookstore, museums and art galleries, language and computer labs, and performance spaces.

The Importance OF

TBy Amy Baldwin, Ed.D.

PROFESSORS AND ADVISORS

he student-professor relationship is one of the most important to cultivate. Academic advisors are also key players in a student’s successful adjustment to college and can guide them all the way through to an on-time graduation.

You can encourage your student to create open lines of communication with their professors and make the most of every advising appointment. Here are tips and talking points.

Coach Your Student to Communicate With Professors

1. Establish a relationship early.

Professors will be happy to get to know your student before a problem arises. Any time during the semester (with the exception of the day before the final!) is a good time to reach out, but the sooner the better.

Your student should take cues from the syllabus about the best way to communicate. Is the professor available to meet in person or is email or an online meeting better? It goes without saying — if the professor prefers email, then use email and check it often.

When your student meets with the professor for the first time, they should have a list of questions ready. Here are a few that can help your student learn more about the professor’s expectations:

ƒ “I want to learn as much as I can in your class. What can I do to succeed?”

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ƒ “I usually [fill in usual study practices]. What will work best for this class?”

ƒ “I want to be sure I start off with solid work in your class. Can I come see you before an assignment is due to make sure I’m on the right track?”

2. Seek immediate feedback after graded work.

If your student gets a low grade, or lower than anticipated, even if they think they know why, it’s good to check in with the professor as soon as possible. Here’s how to open a conversation:

ƒ “I reviewed my work. Can we go over what I did wrong so I understand what to do differently next time?”

ƒ “I’m bummed I messed up that assignment. Would you help me see where I made mistakes?”

ƒ “Can we talk about how this low grade will affect my progress in the course? I want to be sure to make the improvements I need to raise my grade.”

Because students share this fear with me, it’s worth telling you: Yes, professors really want to talk with students who’ve failed an assignment. No, they don’t think their students aren’t smart enough to pass their class.

Professors want their students to learn and to earn good grades. Your student shouldn’t be ashamed to speak to a professor about a class they’re failing. Reaching out demonstrates a willingness to improve.

Make the Most of an Advising Appointment

Academic advisors help students register for courses and keep track of credits and degree requirements. But that’s not all an advisor can do. Advisors can help your student connect with resources if they are having academic, personal or financial challenges. Your student should view their advisor as a guide, coach and support system. Here are three steps to follow.

1. Plan the visit with the advisor.

Students should prepare ahead of time for every appointment. The advisor needs to know what your student needs as soon as they get there.

ƒ Create a list of questions or a goal to share. For example: “I’m here to talk about what classes to take next semester and what would happen if I change my major.”

ƒ Look up policies, forms or other information that will improve the conversation. Your student may want to read course descriptions or download a copy of their degree plan.

ƒ Be ready to take notes. Will your student handwrite notes, type, or record the session? They’ll need notes about what was discussed and what steps to take next.

2. Role play the conversation.

I know from professional experience, and also from my own son who’s a college student, that many students don’t know what to say in the moment even with a list of questions in their hand. That’s why it’s important to practice the conversation ahead of time.

You don’t have to know the ins and outs of college advising — you just need to help your student learn how to ask questions and follow up with additional questions. Here’s a sample script:

Advisor Role: What can I do for you today?

Student: I need help registering for classes and I want to talk about changing my major.

Advisor Role: First, what classes are you thinking about taking? Then, tell me what’s motivating you to change your major.

Help your student identify what preparation they still need to do before their appointment and clarify what they want from the meeting.

3. Follow up if needed.

A single advising appointment probably won’t answer all your student’s questions. They may need a follow-up meeting or even multiple meetings.

Encourage your student to check in regularly with their advisor even if there isn’t a pressing issue. Other reasons to meet with an advisor include:

ƒ Your student’s progress in a course or courses is in jeopardy and they need to know what will happen if they fail a class.

ƒ They can’t get into a class that’s required for their degree plan.

ƒ They may not graduate on time.

ƒ They want advice on a different major, a minor or a career pathway.

Advisors can’t solve all of your student’s problems, but they can do a lot more than help with course registration. In fact, if your student cultivates a solid relationship with their advisor, they will have a coach and cheerleader all rolled into one.

Support

DURING MIDTERMS & FINALS

The weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break are tough on students. They are buried in work: reading, exam preparation, final projects, paper writing.

Some first-year students experience another wave of homesickness after Thanksgiving. Seniors are extra stressed as they work on theses and capstone projects while applying for jobs and graduate school. Oh, and it’s cold and flu season!

During this stressful time, you may not hear from your student much, or at all. This is natural and most likely okay. They need space — but they also need encouragement and support. When you do talk, or in a letter or a text exchange, you can reinforce strategies for getting through finals healthy and whole. Here are tips to share.

Maximize academic support

ƒ As soon as final projects and papers are assigned, break them into smaller pieces and get started.

ƒ Put all these tasks into a master calendar or your planner and prioritize in order of importance.

ƒ Attend all available study sessions, faculty office hours, etc.

ƒ Get individual tutoring in subjects where you’re struggling.

By CollegiateParent

Take care of yourself. This means:

ƒ Get enough sleep.

ƒ Take short, frequent study breaks (you can put these in your planner).

ƒ Exercise — including outdoors in natural light if possible.

ƒ Spend quality time with friends (again, you can schedule this).

ƒ Eat healthy meals.

ƒ Stay hydrated (try not to rely too much on caffeine).

Encourage your student to keep their eye out for finals support events on campus at the student union, library, health center, etc. and reach out for stress relief through the counseling center.

What else can family members do?

Understand that your student may not have time for the usual phone calls. Send an occasional text/ social message that doesn’t require a response. Check in to confirm their travel plans and offer to help if needed. And they’ll welcome a finals care package:

ƒ Healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruit, protein bars)

ƒ Fidget or stress relief toy

ƒ Cozy hat, gloves, scarf or slippers

ƒ New headphones or earbuds

ƒ Gift card for coffee shop or restaurant they like in town

ƒ Calming teas

ƒ Vitamin C drops or Emergen-C

Choosing a Major

6 TIPS FOR GUIDING YOUR STUDENT

Every parent wants their student to find their “calling” and click with a major that will help pave the way to a career. Students want that, too!

But the process of declaring a major can be scary as well as exhilarating.

By Amy Baldwin, Ed.D.

“Am I making the right choice?” they wonder anxiously. “Will I be able to find a job after graduation?” And then there is the classic question from wellmeaning family and friends: “What are you going to do with that?”

For students whose majors are clear pathways to careers (think nursing,

or accounting), the last question can be answered easily. However, for undecided students worried not only about choosing the “right” major but also about how their degree will prepare them for employment someday, the question can increase their self-doubt. And with self-doubt comes even more anxiety.

Luckily, there are stress-reducing ways to support and guide students who are at this juncture. Here are six tips:

1. Relax.

No need to make this experience more traumatic than it already is. Remember that it’s normal for the journey from major to career to twist and turn. Make an effort to keep things in perspective and you’ll be able to share this attitude with your student.

2. Have them reflect on their past to figure out their future.

One of the best strategies to use with college students is to encourage them to reflect on what they liked when they were younger, what they did in their spare time for fun, and what activities they participated in and why. Their past holds clues about the kinds of majors that might interest them. For example, someone who counseled their friends through difficult times may find themselves interested in psychology or social work. An athlete might gravitate to sports management or sports medicine.

3. Encourage them to focus on what they

want to

learn, not what sounds good.

The best way to erase self-doubt is to find a subject they like and that will help them build transferable skills. Ask what kinds of classes interest them the most and which classes challenge them to think and grow. Their answers should give them an idea of what they want to spend several years studying. A student who says they want to major in business “so my parents will leave me alone” is not a student who will be happy for long with their choice.

4. Suggest they compare degree plans and course descriptions.

Reading through the college’s course catalog is another way to narrow their choices. The course catalog and degree requirements can be found on the school’s website. If your student is choosing between economics and education, for example, suggest they read through the degree requirements, such as internships or foreign languages, to see which plan appeals to them more. Have them browse the course descriptions as well. They will spend a lot of time in their major courses and should be intrigued by the topics that await them in that department.

5. Remind them to speak regularly with an academic advisor and a career counselor.

The academic advisor will help them navigate the process of completing a degree, and the career counselor can help them develop a plan to translate what they’re learning to workplace needs. Meeting with both throughout college can keep your student on track and help them make any needed adjustments along the way.

6. Suggest they interview recent college graduates.

Some of the best advice about college majors comes from recent graduates. New graduates are likely to say that the skills they acquired in college (e.g., critical thinking, written communication, appreciation for diversity) are more important than the content knowledge they gained from their major. At the very least, their advice may lower the pressure to make a “right choice.”

What if my student wants to change their major?

Students change majors for a variety of reasons and it is perfectly normal. In some surveys as many as 80% of students have switched majors at least once.

But it can still be worrisome to parents, who wonder if their student will be able to graduate on time. In addition to discussing what led them to this new direction (was it a single fabulous course or professor? a new career goal?), here are a few questions you can ask to help your student make the best decision:

ƒ How many additional courses do you need to take? The earlier the change is made, the less likely your student will need to take lots of additional courses.

ƒ Will you need to take more credit hours per term or take summer classes to stay on track? In some cases, an additional course per term or a couple of classes during the summer may be all that’s needed to graduate in four years.

ƒ What other requirements does the new degree plan include? Some degree plans require internships or practicums that must be taken into consideration. As always when working toward a degree, your student should consult with an academic advisor to ensure they are completing required courses in the right sequence.

5 Ways to Begin CAREER

By Mindy East

PREP IN THE FIRST YEAR

Starting college is exciting for students and for their families, too. You spent the summer getting ready for the move to campus and soaking up the time together. Once the semester starts, your student’s focus shifts to academics and adjusting to life on their own.

With so much going on, it may seem silly to start talking about their career. However, starting career preparation early will set your student up for success. Here are five simple ways do that.

1. Change the mindset.

Contrary to popular belief, students shouldn’t wait until senior year to begin thinking about possible careers. Talking about it as early as the first year can build both clarity and confidence for your student. College is about intellectual exploration and personal growth (and of course having fun), but make a point as well to talk about how the purpose of their time in college is to prepare them for life — and a career — after graduation. If your student understands that the goal of getting their degree is to join the workforce, they’ll see the benefits of making it a priority to participate in resumebuilding activities each year of college.

2. Focus on building strong study skills.

Although GPA is only one factor employers consider when hiring graduates, it’s important to build a solid academic foundation as a firstyear student. Most universities require completion of general education courses before beginning higher-level classes specific to a major and degree program. Even students who excelled academically in high school can benefit from building strong study habits early on, and using general education courses to learn how to study and excel will boost the grade point average right from the start.

3. Explore clubs and organizations related to their major.

Joining a club can be one of the most rewarding experiences in college and a fantastic addition to your student’s first resume. Any co-curricular activity can build essential teamwork, organization, and leadership skills prized by employers, and in particular, clubs and organizations geared toward their career can give an early glimpse into their profession. It’s also a chance to meet older students with shared interests who can guide and mentor them.

4. Make connections on social media.

Once upon a time, the student newspaper and flyers posted around campus were the only way to find out what was going on. Now universities are highly active on social media, which means students can use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to “follow” campus resources including the career center, the department they are studying within, and the university’s main page.

While we’re on the subject, it’s a good time to remind your student to exercise some care around their personal social media accounts. Students will be tempted to post about how much fun they’re having in college, and may not realize that potential employers frequently do online searches of candidates prior to interviewing them. I recommend adding privacy settings and removing questionable photos such as party pictures.

5. Encourage your student to join Handshake and visit the Career Center.

Handshake is an online platform that connects college students to employers. Schools partner with Handshake to share information about career-related events, jobs, internships, on-campus employer visits, resume support and more. Your student should create a profile on Handshake and download the app so they have this resource at their fingertips.

It’s common for first-year students to be undecided about what career to choose. In fact, over 75% of college students change their major at least once. If your student has questions about what to study, remind them that they can make an appointment at the career center. Assessments can help them figure out what careers may be a match for them. Counselors at the career center can also help them set up informational interviews with alumni in their field. The first year is a perfect time to gain clarity on which career to pursue.

By focusing on these five things during their first year, your student will begin to lay the foundation for a successful career search. Students who invest time and energy in career preparation during each year of college will have more confidence and momentum than those who wait until graduation is around the corner. Considering that in recent years more than half of college students didn’t have a job lined up at the time of graduation, it just makes sense to make this a priority from year one. Best wishes to your student for a fantastic first year!

Important HEALTH CONVERSATIONS

By CollegiateParent

In college, probably for the first time, your student will be wholly responsible for taking care of their own physical and emotional well-being.

For that reason, the most important health conversations you can have with them are ones where you encourage them to make wellness a priority in their daily lives, to familiarize themselves with health support resources on campus, and to always feel comfortable reaching out to you when they have a concern or just need a little advice.

Revisit health-related topics each and every time you talk with your student!

Make sure they know how health insurance works.

Go over their coverage, whether they’re on the school’s health plan or still covered by your family insurance, and how and where to access services. Will they use the campus health center for all their needs, or go there just for the easy/free stuff (such as flu shots and treatment for minor illnesses) and see a provider or specialist in the local community?

Review campus resources.

They’ll receive a lot of information at orientation and move-in, but it can be overwhelming. Look at the website so you can nudge them to explore what’s offered at the student health clinic and counseling/mental health center. They'll find workshops and support groups related to a wide range of wellness concerns including:

ƒ Alcohol and substance use

ƒ Conflict resolution skills

ƒ Nutrition and body positivity

ƒ Sexual health, gender identity, relationships

ƒ Stress and anxiety management

Don’t forget about religious and spiritual life opportunities as well as fitness classes at the campus rec center.

Go over what to do if they get sick.

Your student should have a first aid kit with a thermometer and basic overthe-counter remedies as well as a supply of rapid COVID-19 test kits. Talk through possible scenarios, ranging from treating a cold to how to know if it’s something more serious like Covid or the flu. Remind them that if symptoms (sore throat, fever, vomiting, headache, etc.) linger for days without improvement, they should visit the campus health center — but they don’t have to suffer in silence if they just want to get checked out.

Since colleges are bound by a federal law called FERPA which governs the privacy of student educational and treatment records, you won’t know if or when your student visits campus health and counseling clinics. It’s up to your student to decide whether to share information with you, which is something else the two of you can discuss early on.

Talk about responsible drinking.

Most families have strict rules about drinking in high school, but in college, an abstinence-only policy may not be practical. Though some students choose a sober lifestyle, the most recent survey from the NIH found that about half of college students drink, with nearly a third (29%) having engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

This doesn’t mean you should feel helpless. By talking regularly with your student about the campus party scene, their experiences with alcohol, and what it means to drink responsibly, you can continue to have a positive influence.

These conversations require that you know your facts, be honest and open-minded, and most of all, be ready to listen. For more, visit niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ Collegefact sheet.pdf.

With marijuana legal and readily available in many parts of the country, cannabis-related health problems for teens and young adults are on the rise. Learn more about the trends and risks of drug use in college and find advice specifically for parents at nida.nih.gov/research-topics/ college-age-young-adults

A Mental Health Game Plan FOR

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

By Rob Danzman, MS, NCC, LCMHC

Move-in

day is

here, and

along

with it the reminder that our kids eventually grow up and leave home.

Though a few will breeze through the college years, many will struggle at some point along the way. Below I share suggestions on how to parent college students whether they’re experiencing challenges or just anxious about the big transition.

Organization

Encourage your first-year student to fight the urge to slide casually into college life. It’s essential to set academic and personal expectations — start with more structure and back off as the semester proceeds if it’s going well.

And talk about calendars. Calendars and planners are a foundation for success and counteract a lot of mental health symptoms. Missing an advisor meeting, forgetting about a counseling session, or completely blanking on a big assignment are good ways to have a bad semester.

The start of fall semester is also a great time to introduce the concept of incrementalism. I’ve worked with students with a 4.0 high school GPA coming into freshman year who spun out by November. The overstimulation and lack of restraint became a disaster. Check in early and often at the beginning with a focus on what’s measurable. Small wins add up to big wins.

Counseling

Have your student schedule an initial appointment with the college counseling center, often referred to as Counseling and Psychological Services or CAPS, before or immediately after they get to campus. Even if they have no intention of going regularly, it helps to know where the center is and have that personal connection. Students are more likely to use CAPS if they’ve been before.

If your student needs ongoing counseling, CAPS may not be enough. I recommend that you help your student find a community-based clinician before the October rush. For students who’ve been working with a therapist at home and want to meet with someone at school, ensure the therapists coordinate to provide a smooth hand-off.

Don’t forget to have your student sign a release of information. You don’t need details from each session but a general sense of how things are trending.

Family Communication

Agree on how regularly you’ll talk. It’s incredible the way loving, engaged kids disappear once they move to campus. I’ve also worked with students who called home too much. Having a general idea of when you will catch up frees students from feeling pressure to respond to every text and gives parents a sense of relief.

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security as the semester cranks up and things quiet down. Situations that blow up in December result from the smallest dark clouds forming on the horizon in September and October.

Self-Care for Parents

The way you parent when your child is out of the house requires a serious examination of your distress-tolerance skills. Consider working with a therapist if you’re anxious about your student’s well-being even after you’ve done all the above. You encourage your student to take care of themselves — you need to do the same.

And remember: Most situations in which our kids find themselves are not as good or as bad as they believe them to be. Set a calm, intentional tone at the beginning of the semester with regular check-ins throughout — and enjoy the ride.

Advice FROM A RESIDENCE LIFE STUDENT LEADER

By Cambria Pilger

While working as an RA in college, I learned a lot about helping students through challenging times. The best thing family members can do is listen to and love your student, and encourage them to engage in wellness programs and opportunities.

What Services Are Available on Campus?

There is support right in your student’s very own dorm! Residence Life staff care about students and are a key resource. Developing a relationship with their RA can be a lifeline for a firstyear student.

And it’s absolutely worth checking out what’s going on at the campus counseling center. In addition to scheduled appointments with a counselor, the center is likely to offer workshops, walk-in sessions, and peerled support groups. Students can get help with:

ƒ Career/life choices

ƒ Concerns about substance or alcohol use

ƒ Dealing with the adjustment to a new school and group of peers

ƒ Family or relationship issues

ƒ Feeling anxious or stressed

ƒ Feeling lonely or isolated

ƒ Lack of confidence/low self-esteem

ƒ Lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating

ƒ Sleep problems

If you feel your student needs immediate help, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (just dial 988, the same way you would 911) for free, confidential support 24/7.

Call, text or chat 988 to be connected to trained providers.

Safety ON CAMPUS

By CollegiateParent and Suzanne Shaffer

Today’s college students live in a world that requires vigilance and awareness. Schools work to foster safe environments, but students share responsibility.

As your student acclimates to their new campus and life, check in about what they do on a daily basis to keep themselves safe. You can help by supplying good advice and the best safety tools available.

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Basic Safety Checklist

These recommendations will be shared at orientation and move-in, but it’s good to revisit the list periodically. It may take your student a while to check off every box!

† Always lock your dorm room and secure your valuables.

† Don’t let anyone who doesn’t have a student ID into the residence hall. Even if they ask nicely. Verify their identity.

† Sign up for campus emergency alerts. Program emergency numbers into your cellphone for easy access.

† Use the buddy system. It can be tempting to go for a run alone, or make a quick trip to the library by yourself after dark, but it’s not worth the risk. Never be alone at night or in remote areas. Stick with your friends at parties and don’t let a friend leave a party alone or with someone they don’t know. Also use the buddy system when taking public transportation or using Uber and Lyft.

† Use campus security escorts and safe rides.

† Take advantage of safety training. Many campuses offer self-defense classes, or you can sign up for one at a local YMCA or recreation center.

† Register any valuables with serial numbers (laptops, bikes, etc.) with the campus police department. This makes them easier to track if they’re stolen.

Tools for Staying Safe

Safety apps

Your student’s smartphone can be a great self-defense tool. Safety apps give them instant access to authorities, parents and fellow students when they feel they’re in an unsafe situation.

Encourage your student to ask their friends for safety app recommendations to try. In addition, confirm that they know how to use the Emergency SOS slider feature on their phone.

Self-defense carry items

These items pair well with a selfdefense class because, when faced with danger, your student needs to be prepared to use them with confidence.

† A whistle or personal safety alarm is the simplest option.

† Pepper spray is popular because it’s quick, easy to use, and effective. However, pepper spray is illegal in some states. Check the law where your student attends school.

Safe Partying/ Drinking Practices

Students who drink excessively are at higher risk of being involved in car accidents, hazing, and sexual assault. Keep talking to your student throughout college about alcohol and substance use.

Ask questions and listen to what they have to say about social situations they’ve been in or witnessed. Talk through possible scenarios so they can anticipate how they might act, react, and help their friends. Discuss the dangers of drink tampering and binge drinking. Make sure they know how to drink responsibly and how to get home safely when they are out late.

Review Emergency Procedures

† Remind your student to add an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number and also the campus police emergency number into their phone’s contacts.

† Ask about campus emergency drills that have taken place. What were they instructed to do in different kinds of emergency situations? Going over the information with you should help fix it in your student’s mind.

† Be sure you have the names and phone numbers of a few of your student’s roommates or close friends as well as their parents, and that they have yours.

† Students should be aware of natural hazards on and near their campus, and pay attention to severe weather warnings.

† They should know multiple ways out of the buildings they frequent on campus, including the fire exits.

† They should know their residential housing staff/landlord and be able to get in touch with them quickly.

† In a weather-related emergency, your student could be stranded in a resident hall or apartment for a few days, potentially without power. Encourage them to make an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food (dried fruit, nuts, bars, tuna packets, crackers, etc.), a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, first aid supplies, any medications they take, rain gear and warm clothes.

Dealing With Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct

We live in a politically and culturally volatile era, and news stories often highlight what can seem like a conflict between groups of students desiring to feel safe on campus and others pursuing their right to free speech and protest.

No matter the context, all students deserve to live and study in an environment free of discrimination and harassment based on any aspect of their identity. However, though institutions do their best to educate students, faculty, and staff about how to prevent and respond to discrimination and sexual misconduct, it still occurs.

There are offices on campus to support your student through any traumatic situation. Students can contact the offices of equity and compliance, civil rights, and victim assistance, and most campuses have a Title IX coordinator. They can also contact campus police to report an incident. It is always an option to begin with confidential conversations. By becoming familiar with campus offices, policies and processes, family members can be ready to aid their students if they reach out to you for help.

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