AT A GLANCE
What This Year Will Look Like – Month By Month This year is going to be full of excitement and change for your family. It is important to stay up-to-date on all that is going on at FGCU as well as some changes that your student may be facing.
August 2022
October
First day of classes (Aug. 19)
Study Day - No Classes (Oct. 4)
Deadline to drop or add classes (Aug. 25)
Last day for students to drop/withdraw from classes without Academic Penalty (Oct. 28)
Payment deadline at 5:00 p.m.
Last Day to add/drop/withdraw from classes (Aug. 25) In-person and via Gulfline, 100% refund. Deadline at 5:00 p.m.
Payment deadline by 5:00 p.m. (Aug. 25) Weeks of Welcome events Excitement around newfound freedom and surroundings
Students are learning to make choices, and figuring out how to make healthy choices can be a challenge. For many students, this is the first time they are solely in charge of choosing what they eat for every meal. Will it be a balanced meal or ramen noodles and ice cream again? Many students also struggle with creating a regular sleep schedule (that doesn’t include multiple naps each day) and there might be situations where your student finds themselves making decisions they wouldn’t normally make, or feeling pressured to do so to “fit in.” This can lead to negative consequences that impact your student and others in the Eagle community. The first six weeks are critical for forming healthy habits. Parents can use this time to talk with their students about healthy decision making.
September Labor Day (Sept. 5) Last day for students to withdraw from all classes to receive 25% back (Sept. 16)
Deadline is 5:00 p.m. (if within 3/2 Withdrawl Rule)
Homesickness & first midterms
Your student might feel overwhelmed balancing all of their responsibilities with homesickness also seeping in. Encourage them to find ways to engage and connect with family back home, whether that’s a set Facetime date or a weekly text to check-in. Your student’s first grades may not come back as high as they would have expected and that’s not unusual when transitioning from high school to college. It’s good to remind your student that there’s plenty of time in the semester for them to improve their grades and to reach out to their professors and go to the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) for support.
November
We are almost to the home stretch and Winter Break. Veteran’s Day - No Classes (Nov. 11) Thanksgiving Break - No Claases (Nov. 23-26) Cold and flu season
Winter months can bring cold and flu season, especially if your student is living in the residence halls on campus. This, along with the stress of the end of the semester, can quickly lead to your student getting sick. This might be a good time to chat with your student about making sure they are sleeping enough, eating healthy foods, and doing something physical each day. If they do end up not feeling well, they are always able to book an appointment online on their Health Portal to see Student Health Services right on campus.
Roommate Challenges
This is about the time where the fun, new roommate magic wears off and your student might have some disagreements with their new living mate. If challenges arise, encourage your student to chat with their Resident Assistant (RA). These are students who are trained in conflict management, communication skills, and more. Conflict is expected, and it’s important for your student to work through it in a productive, healthy way. Encourage your student to take the required roommate agreement seriously and for them not to be afraid to communicate what they need.
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F G C U I PA R E N T & FA M I LY G U I D E
For a full list of important dates, refer to the FGCU Academic Calendar. fgcu.edu/academiccalendar
