At a Glance
BREAKDOWN of students at FGCU:
97%
50%
3%
FROM FLORIDA
2. How will my student make friends? There are so many ways your student can make friends while on campus. They can meet people in classes, at events, in their residence halls (if they’re living on campus), or by joining student groups. EagleLink is a GREAT resource when it comes to involvement and your students can use it to find student organization and events happening on campus. If your student lives on campus, encourage them to get to know their Resident Assistant (RA) and attend the programs they put on to help them get to know other people living in their halls.
FROM SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
OTHER STATES & INTERNATIONAL
TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
1. What’s the best meal plan? The best meal plan really depends on your student’s eating habits. FGCU Dining can walk you through all of the available options. If you and your student are still having a hard time deciding, remember that you can go with a smaller plan and upgrade at any point, but there won’t be an option to downgrade.
3. Should I let my student come home on the weekends?
The TOP THREE CONCERNS families shared regarding their student entering college were:
FINANCES
FAQ’s
ACADEMICS
The TOP THREE CONVERSATIONS families had with their student to prepare them for entering FGCU were:
Obviously, this is a personal decision and one that will depend on a variety of factors. Overall, it is good to remember that we, and likely you, want your son/daughter to have every opportunity to find their niche on campus and take advantage of all the resources and opportunities that come with being an FGCU student. Spending weekends on campus gives them the opportunity to do just that – study in the Library, attend an event with friends, work at a job in the area, etc. If you notice they are coming home often, encourage them to make plans to spend a weekend on campus.
4. What’s your best tip for dealing with the “empty nest” feeling? The transition of a child going to college is transition for the whole family – not just the student. Families often realize that much of the time they spent dedicating to their student is now available to invest in a new project, endeavor, or hobby. Remembering that your student still needs you, although in a different way, and choosing to frame this new time as an opportunity are key.
5. How often should I contact my son or daughter?
ACADEMIC PLANNING 28
TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
F G C U I PA R E N T & FA M I LY G U I D E
LIVING SITUATION
Students will want to communicate in different ways and at different times. No one knows your student better than you, and they want and need you to continue to let them know you are still there to guide and support them, while providing time and space for them to explore
