Volume I | November 2018
In This Issue:
New Parent and Family Website | Pacer Family Photos | No Sophomore Slump Here! | Career Services - Career Closet | Flu Shots |December Convocation | A "Better Campaign" | Healthy 4 Life | Save the Dates | Quick Links
New Parent and Family Website !
We are thrilled to announce that USC Aiken is launching a new parent and family website to keep our families informed, engaged, and connected. Up-to-date information on events like orientation, commencement, and family day are included, as well as tips and articles to help you support your USC Aiken Pacer.

We strive to provide you with information that you need in a way that is easy to navigate. If you have suggestions to improve the website, please bring those to my attention. We want to make this resource the best it can be for the best parents and families in higher education!

Go, Pacers!
Sandy Talbott
Parent and Family Relations Coordinator
803-642-2825
sandyt@usca.edu
Send Us Your Pacer Pride Family Photos
Do you have some family photos from Family Day, move-in, or another USC Aiken event? Share the celebration by emailing us high resolution (1 MB or higher) photos of your student and family in your best USC Aiken swag. Your photo could be used to enhance a website or upcoming marketing publication!

(By submitting photos to sandyt@usca.edu, you agree to have your image(s) used in a USC Aiken electronic or printed piece.)

Thanks, and Go Pacers!
No Sophomore Slump Here!
Hello! My name is Tyrese Thomas, and I am a sophomore at USC Aiken. My home is Moncks Corner, South Carolina (near Charleston), and my major is communication.

Family support is important in the freshman year, but it is equally important to be supportive of upper class students during their academic journey. This includes staying connected and checking in regularly, yet not being too overbearing as they continue their path to academic achievement.

My transition from my freshman to sophomore year has been a smooth one for me, as I am still taking mostly general education courses to satisfy my course requirements. I am also more involved on campus after joining the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity the spring semester of my freshman year. Being involved in an organization on campus is important to me as I complete the next two years and leave an impact on campus. Outside of Greek life, students have plenty of opportunities to get involved on campus through various clubs and organizations.

Internships look excellent on resumes and confirm that students have experience in their fields. Sophomore year is a time to look for internships and research career fields. Making sure that students are prepared for internships is a way that families can support their students; this includes having the right clothes for interviews. (Students can always borrow from the Career Closet. See below for details.)

Career Services is always open to help students prepare, so encourage them to make an appointment at Career Services. And, if you know of an internship or employment opportunity for students, do not hesitate to let Career Services know as they are always looking for new opportunities for students.

Support your sophomore (or whatever year your student is completing) and trust in the person he or she is becoming. 

Notes from USC Aiken Parent and Family Relations:

Tyrese is the Parent and Family Relations student worker. We are glad to have him on board this year!

For additional advice on how you can help students avoid a sophomore slump, click here.
Career Services for USC Aiken Students
Parents' Guide to Career Services
Most parents and families want to help their college student choose a career path, but it is a daunting task, right? How can you help your student wade through so many career options?

This guide gives step-by-step directions to assist students with internships, networking, and resume building. All of these components help students become "occupationally literate."

Special thanks to the Office of Career Services for this information.

Donate to the Career Closet
Help us help USC Aiken students look their best when interviewing or attending the spring career fair. Parents, family members, and friends may donate men and women's gently-worn, cleaned, professional clothing to the Career Closet. Smaller sizes are especially appreciated.

The drop off location is the Office of Career Services, Penland Building 108, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Income Tax deduction letters will be mailed to donors.

Students who need professional wear should make an appointment at Career Services to view clothing and available sizes. Students may borrow clothes similar to borrowing a library book.
Extended Library Hours
To accommodate student demand for extended library hours, the Gregg-Graniteville Library is open from 8 a.m. - 12 midnight. During finals week the library will extend operation to 24 hours per day.

The l ibrary staff strives to provide the academic community with information required for intellectual, professional, and personal development.

This spring and summer the library hosted the USC Aiken Scholar Showcase.
December 2018 Convocation

Congratulations to families of our graduating seniors! We celebrate with you as USC Aiken prepares for a very special day - December Convocation!

For details regarding the ceremony and related events, click here .

You are the family of a college graduate! Yay!
Students Join a "Better Campaign"


USC Aiken's Student Government Association joined Affect The Culture's “Better Campaign” to combat a growing culture of divisiveness and indifference in society. 

Affect The Culture challenges participants to be “better” by engaging in five random acts of kindness. You can learn more (and find ways to participate with your student!) at affecttheculture.com 
Keeping Students Healthy 4 Life
USC Aiken strives to achieve a community of health, well-being and belonging through the Healthy 4 Life initiative. Each month we will highlight one of four Healthy 4 Life initiatives and ask you to encourage your student to participate. This month’s topic is a Healthy Habits.
 
Health and well being are rooted in our choices, and those choices are often the result of habits.  A good habit like time management is formed by specific behaviors such as calendar planning, sleep patterns and managing procrastination. Each of these behaviors can create positive outcomes.   

Leadership also plays a role in creating healthy habits. Students who surround themselves with inspiring, goal-centered individuals typically create habits that drive them toward success. Check out leadership opportunities  at USC Aiken and encourage your student to explore them, too!

For a comprehensive look at additional Healthy4Life student resources, click here.
Free Flu Shots Continue While Supplies Last!
shot_preparation.jpg
 
Current USC Aiken students can bring photo ID and get a free flu shot at the Student Health Center (SHC), SAC Room 106 near Starbucks. The SHC opens at 10 a.m., and accepts the last patient at 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The best time to get the shot is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. No appointment necessary.

Let’s keep our Pacers healthy!
Save The Date


Fall term
November 21-25 - Thanksgiving break
December 7 - Classes end
December 13 - December Convocation
December 10 - 14 - Final exams

Spring term
January 14 - Classes begin
January 21 - No classes; offices closed - MLK Day
February 8-10 - Homecoming
March 11-18 - Spring break
April 29 - Classes end
Final exams - May 4 - 7
May 8 - Spring Commencement
Parent and Family Relations| University of South Carolina Aiken | 803-641-2825 | sandyt@usca.edu | https://www.usca.edu