Heads Up... Spring 2009
- The safety of the campus community is a top priority, and the UVic Emergency Alerts system is the fastest way for students to receive information in the event of a campus emergency. Find out how students can register their mobile phone numbers to receive emergency messages.
- What does it mean to your child to have a “worthwhile summer”? Ask him or her about what’s important in terms of experiences and goals this summer and discuss how you can support these ideas.
- Come August, it might be tough for your student to get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with student life and your daughter or son may be feeling homesick, lonely or overwhelmed. You may want to include a gift from home somewhere in the cardboard moving boxes to send a bit of “home” to school (e.g. candy from a hometown shop, a family picture, a blank journal or a warm throw blanket).
- Figuring out funding is tough to begin with, but budgeting properly in September for the upcoming eight months is even more challenging (especially if your student has received a lump sum cheque or student loan). Encourage your son or daughter to be smart with their money and visit Budgeting in Cyberspace for cost-cutting tips, budget calculators and cheap recipes.
- Most new students lack an immediate social network and have lots of questions about how to get involved with clubs, course unions, intramurals and other activities. Let your daughter or son know about Club and Course Union days (happening Sept. 9 and 10 in the Student Union Building) and check back at uvss.uvic.ca for up-to-date information on the various social activities the UVic Students’ Society is planning for autumn.
- Incoming first-year students often feel anxious about their upcoming academic pressures and scheduling. Counselling services has designed a study skills course that is available to all UVic students looking for advice about staying on top of their studies – visit Counselling Services for more information.
- Adjusting to a new roommate can be tough no matter how well two friends might know each other this September – most students will be nervous about conflicts and new house rules, so offer your ear if your son or daughter seems stressed about their living situation.
- Whether your student has a lingering summer fling or is hanging onto a high-school sweetheart, long-distance relationships are tough to get the hang of. Be supportive and open-minded about this emotional strain – and understand that your son or daughter will want to slot a fair bit of “couple time” in with their significant other when they visit home.
