October 2
First progress grade reporting deadline (30th class day)
October 10 & 11
Fall Break – no classes scheduled
October 14
Last day to drop a course with a W grade (36th class day) 5:00 p.m.
October 18
Last day to apply for December 2019 degree via myState - $50 fee
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October 19 to December 4
Late December 2019 degree application via myState - $50 fee plus $100 late fee
October 21 to November 1
Faculty advising for pre-registration
(Some departments begin advising earlier)
October 25
Second progress grade reporting deadline (end of week 10)
October 25 - 27
Bulldog Family Weekend
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Register today for Bulldog Family Weekend!
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Are you thinking to yourself,
"I haven't seen my student lately"?
Come visit your student during
Bulldog Family Weekend
,
October 25 - 27
.
Registration will close soon, so don't miss out!
(MSU students are free to attend with one registered guest.)
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We are approaching the mid-point of the semester and the first round of progress grades are scheduled to post for your student soon. The success of our students is very important to the MSU community. The Office of Parent and Family Services wants to be sure you are provided with the tools needed to help guide them.
As a parent or family member of an MSU student, we know you want to be helpful. Our goal is to provide you with guidance and the resources available so you can share them with your student. Knowledge is power! If you know a resource exists, your student should, too. Partnering together can help ease your student's stress level. When you need someone to talk to or have no idea what to do, please reach out to us.
We are
always
here to lend an ear and point you in the right direction.
Cat Walker and Becky Faulk
662.325.3611
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You've all heard the song that captivated our ears a few years ago from the hit movie Frozen, "Let It Go." We've taken those three words and turned them into something more fitting regarding college students today; let's talk about "Let Them Grow!"
Did your student have a bad day in class recently and call to vent? Did you listen, encourage, and sit back? Or did you take control and jump in to save the day? Sometimes it's easy (and instinctual) to want to be your student's superhero. Our office encourages you to reach out to us when you need assistance in
guiding
your student.
"Adulting" is hard; especially when you're a student who's still maturing, figuring out life, learning how to communicate with older peers or professors, and juggling the day-to-day responsibilities of life. However, we want you and your student to know that when an academic concern arises there are a few steps your student can take to help resolve the issue.
Where should your student start with an academic concern?
Professors
Encourage your student to speak directly to his/her professor. Learning how to communicate with other adults (i.e. professors) is awkward, hard, and sometimes intimidating. Students are in the best place to learn these communication skills. It will definitely benefit them in future opportunities, putting tools in their toolboxes; i.e. job interviews, on the job experiences, networking, etc.
Academic Advisors
Each student is assigned an academic advisor. These individuals are a great resource for your student. Advisors can do more than help with course selections. They can also help when students feel overwhelmed, a sense of doubt, or the urge to throw in the towel and withdraw. Advisors can provide valuable information about out of classroom experiences. They can also serve as some of the best recommendations when students are applying for future positions - whether an internship, undergraduate research opportunity, graduate program or professional school.
Dean of Students' Office
The Deans of Students' Office is here to serve all MSU students. College absolutely can be hard and stressful (so can life!) and we want students to feel comfortable using us as a resource. Encourage your student to visit the Dean of Students' Office for academic or personal support.
Before strapping on that superhero cape and swooping in to save the day for your student, take a moment to offer guidance. Put yourself in your student's shoes and ask yourself, "would I want my mom or dad fixing this for me?" Probably not. It's such a gray area, please reach out to us if you're on the fence about jumping in or not.
Let Them Grow!
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GUIDANCE FOR YOUR STUDENT
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"I haven't missed any classes, I studied my notes thoroughly the night before, and even read the chapters. I don't understand why I am not doing well in my classes."
As the mid-point of the semester rolls around and tests approach, you may start to hear less and less from your student. If you're lucky to hear from your student, they may sound a bit more stressed than usual.
Students tend to think that picking up their notes a few times during the week and reading their chapters once is the best way to prepare for exams. Some students expect professors to provide every bit of information for their tests.
Both are incorrect.
Passing a class takes hard work. Engaging in a course and grasping the lesson can be easier if there is a familiarity about the topic. Students are responsible for all materials, including class readings and lectures. Empowering students to take "ownership" of their education is an amazing tool for their toolbox.
Here are a few things you can do to help put you and your student at ease.
Allow your student time to reach out.
- Studying and preparing for classes is exhausting. Students forget (more often than you'd think) that they got a text or call from home while sitting in class or walking to/from class. Your student may be too busy to answer.
- If it's been 24 hours and you haven't heard back from your student, check the Parent Portal for absences. If there are no recent absences, your student could easily be swept up in a busy schedule (or being involved with campus activities.)
- Consider emailing your student since that's one tool they should be checking daily!
Send a personalized care package from home.
- Packages can include anything from a photo of the family pet wishing your student good luck to a t-shirt from home with that "at home smell."
- Students love anything homemade. Consider baking cookies and popping them in the mail.
How can you help?
Remind your student the following resources are on campus to help:
Have a conversation with your student about organization skills and test preparation.
Time management is key to any task that must be completed. Encourage your student to create a calendar with time schedules. When asked to do this, students quickly realize they are not taking advantage of free blocks on time, i.e. time between classes, free afternoons, etc. A good visual of available time goes a long way.
Stop thinking of yourself as the Mr./Mrs. Fix-It.
Listen to your student. Encourage your student to utilize campus resources, to reach out to an RA, director, friend, or visit with a member of the Office of Parent and Family Services. Students should not be afraid to ask for help.
Trust that your student can make good decisions.
Be sympathetic but careful not to provide too many suggestions on how to "fix" a problem. Convey confidence in your student's own ability to navigate this new environment.
Encourage your student (and yourself) to be okay with something less than they are used to.
A grade of less than a B is not the end of the world. Truly. Lower grades than expected are a great opportunity to re-access priorities and study habits. Each student will have a different experience and will need an individual plan.
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Has your student found his/her fit?
Class attendance, homework assignments, and tests preparations are a priority for students (at least we hope), but it's important to not stay cooped up and totally immersed in studies. A student may feel overwhelmed, if so, and wonder "
is this really supposed to be the best years of my life?
"
It's important to get involved, try something new, or take up old interests. Taking time away from studies is important for the mind, body, and spirit. Not only does getting involved help rejuvenate a student, but it can also open up a world of new opportunities - meeting new people, discovering new talents, enhancing learning skills, establishing connections with the university, and providing lasting memories for years to come... just to name a few.
Students still trying to find their FIT should visit:
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“There are times throughout your college career that will be uncomfortable. You will want to stay in your room and talk to your friends from high school or your family because that is what you’ve known for so long. The most rewarding thing you can do for yourself in these situations though, is to embrace that feeling and push yourself outside of your normal boundaries. Going outside of your comfort zone can create opportunities in your life that you would have never seen coming.
It can be so scary to go to an event alone, or to turn to the person next to you in class and introduce yourself to them. But by doing simple things such as this, you are opening doors for yourself that you would never even get to see if you were to just stay in your room.
Through my time at MSU, I have met people who have made a larger impact in my life than I ever would have expected. I have met people that push me to do my best in my classes and support me as an individual. As well as the people, the events I have attended have produced life-long memories and have truly made my time in college so sweet.
Although it can be so scary, going beyond your typical boundaries and your comfort zone can really pay off. The people you meet and the new passions you may find are all worth it. Embrace those moments and take advantage of what the university and its people have to offer.”
Darby Sue S. - MSU Senior
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She was also known for her fierce critique of the growing trend of parental involvement in the day-to-day lives of college students. Toward the end of her tenure as dean, she began speaking and writing widely about helicopter parenting.
Take a moment to listen to her speak on this topic by clicking the button below.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
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The Honor Code Office and Parent and Family Services (Dean of Students' Office) is partnering with the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center. Check out what events are on this semester's calendar and encourage your student to attend.
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Do you have a student that would make an excellent Resident Advisor (RA) or Information Assistant (IA)?
The Department of Housing and Residence Life is currently accepting
applications
until Oct. 21 for the Spring 2020 semester.
There will be an Interest Meeting on Monday,
October 7 at 6 p.m.
in the Dogwood Multipurpose Room.
Let your student know!
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We know it's early, but seniors need to make plans now for December graduation. Students planning to graduate in December can begin applying
NOW and must apply by October 18
to avoid late fees.
Students planning to graduate in December will need to complete the following:
- Confirm with advisor that all degree requirements have been met. CAPP degree audit system is a guide for this, but we recommend consulting advisors to be sure.
- Log in to myState (Banner) and select “Apply for a degree.”
- Complete ALL steps of the application and select SUBMIT.
- Students will receive a confirmation number signifying the application was successfully submitted.
Other graduation notes:
- Students must have their account balance paid in full in order to graduate. This includes everything from tuition to parking and library fines.
- Students with an unpaid balance will not receive a diploma.
- Students who plan to walk in the December commencement ceremony must order caps and gowns through Barnes & Noble bookstore at gradsupply.com/msu.
- Students who have taken courses away from MSU at any time (summer courses at home, etc.) need to have all transfer transcripts sent to MSU. If a transcript containing a required course has not been received, a student may not be eligible to graduate.
- Invitations are not required for attendance. Family and friends are all welcome!
Visit the MSU Academic Calendar (posted above) for December commencement dates and times.
No applications will be accepted for fall graduation after December 5
.
**Students graduating in May will apply in the Spring semester.**
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Health Promotion & Wellness will host its annual Pink Dawg Walk for Cancer Awareness on October 3 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This free, family-friendly event will take place at Chadwick Lake
(located next to Joe Frank Sanderson Center)
and
is open to the community and campus.
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The
Mississippi State Student Association
held its 20
th
annual Bulldog Bash, the state’s largest, free outdoor concert, at downtown Starkville on September 20. Bulldog Bash kicked off with the Maroon Market, which included local musicians on The Social stage, art and food vendors, and the Riddle and Bloom kid zone. The final act of the night featured Grammy Award-winning rapper T-Pain, who gave Starkville an unforgettable performance.
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Make sure you mention
#MSStateFamily
when you make a post.
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Office of Parent and Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu
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