Whether a student is an entering or returning student, during COVID-19, students and their families will have a variety of concerns and questions: Will the campus be safe? What are the outlets for social connection and involvement? How do we handle home sickness?
Tips:
#1: Please remember we have been planning for a safe campus for several months. JWU has successfully completed a robust summer culinary program over the course of six weeks. Our campus was able to safely guide nearly 600 students through their learning with great success!
Following state requirements to quarantine, access to COVID-19 testing, physical distancing, use of face coverings, completing daily health screening, etc. together helped provide a safe learning and living community. If we all work together we should experience the same results this fall.
#2: Entering a university for the first time is normally filled with uncertainty. Remember, it is normal to have a period of adjustment when transitioning to a new life experience. Now, in the heart of the COVID-19 climate, even returning students are faced with novel challenges, whether it be returning to in-person or remote learning. It is normal to need time to adjust. Breathe and allow yourself time. Families, demonstrate confidence in your student’s ability to make good choices and be safe!
#3: It is normal for students to miss home at the beginning of a new academic year or semester. It is helpful to allow oneself six weeks to transition. In some cases it will be much shorter and others a little longer. Setting routines and frequent contact with supports help students to adapt.
4: Students, please take advantage of the helpful resources on campus: Counseling, Health, Accessibility Services, Resident Assistants, Academic Support, Student Engagement professionals, Academic and Financial Counselors, etc. They are here to support all of our wildcats! Please stay tuned-Counseling Services is about to launch Podcasts with the JWU Radio Station live this week and outreach Zoom programs will also begin this month!
#5: Families, please stay informed and follow our university’s social media pages as a way of encouraging your students to get involved! Remind your students that they have access to virtual and on-the-ground programs that are advertised in a myriad of places including social media (@jwupvdinvolved), jwuLink and the
Involvement Network. Resident Assistants are providing small programs that are posted on bulletin boards around the halls, at the front desks, the monthly e-newsletter, and the residence life Instagram account (@jwupvdreslife).
These are challenging times, but without a doubt, the collective JWU team is here for you and your student. Remember challenges provide opportunities to grow, learn and become stronger. We truly are all in this together!
