Please continue to share any comments and ideas with us about content for upcoming issues by contacting us at
FamilyTies@wustl.edu.
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If you were forwarded this email,
click here to join the Family Ties mailing list now.
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Get to Know the First Year Center
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The First Year Center supports new students through their transition into the community of Washington University in St. Louis to assure that they build and sustain their academic and personal goals. The center brings together people, programs and resources to provide an undergraduate experience of exceptional quality where all students are known by name and story and where they prepare themselves for lives of purpose and meaning. Bear Beginnings: New Student Orientation, Parent & Family Weekend, and a host of other programs for students throughout the year are run out of the First Year Center.
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September 2019- In This Issue:
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From the Desk of Dean Wild
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Dear parents and families:
Happy September! Following a busy, fun, and informative orientation for our new students, our fall semester is off to a great start.
The beginning of the academic year is always an exciting time for the campus community. Many of our students are exploring their interests, getting their first look at what it is like to be a college student, making connections, and discovering their independence. However, the transition into college courses and the newfound sense of freedom can at times be challenging for some. As classes get underway, I would like to share with you some ways in which you can support your student during this time of transition:
- Familiarize yourselves with the academic resources that are available on campus. One of the most utilized academic resources is The Learning Center (formerly known as Cornerstone). Through The Learning Center, there are several academic tutoring and peer mentoring sessions available, ranging in many academic subjects, as well as skills training workshops, such as time management and note-taking.
- Be a coach. If your student lets you know that they are struggling in their classes or are facing personal issues, listen to their problems and work together with them to seek solutions. Communicate with your student about their courses by asking about their course materials and assignments, syllabus, and faculty interaction rather than focusing on the grades. Encourage your student to reach out to different resources available on campus, such as their Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs), academic advisers, professors, or student health services available at Habif Health & Wellness. Follow up by asking what you can do to best support your student.
- Be aware of changes. A student's first semester can be a time of exciting change in many different areas, not only in academics, but also in extracurricular activities and personal interests. Support your student through these changes, and invite them to share what excites them about their new interests. There are many opportunities for students to explore new ideas and activities, one of which being WUGO, the online platform where your student can explore over 400 different student organizations on campus.
- Continue to stay in touch. As the semester goes on, your student may have a busier schedule and a harder time reaching out to you. Sticking to your original communication plan on your part can help your student feel supported.
We hope to see you during
Parent and Family Weekend
, occurring November 1-3, 2019. Tickets sales will go live today, September 4th at 3:00 PM CST!
And always, please let us know if you have questions. I read all my email, so if you have a question you'd like to ask me, please don't hesitate to write me at
rob.wild@wustl.edu.
Robert (Rob) M. Wild
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Transition & Dean of Students
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From the First Year Center
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On behalf of the Washington University community, we want to say congratulations on helping your student make it to this point in their academic career.
For those who were not able to join us for Bear Beginnings, please visit our
Parent & Family Orientation: Fall Welcome
site, for the convocation recording, resources shared from the Career Center, and information discussed during Deans' meetings. These resources will be uploaded by the end of the day on Friday, September 6th.
Please take some time to complete our Bear Beginnings assessment, as your feedback is crucial in helping shape Bear Beginnings for future classes of students and families.
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Students have finished their first week of classes and have had the opportunity to meet their professors, participate in First 40 activities, including
First Day (pictured below), and get acquainted with life on campus.
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| Four students standing in front of a red WashU photo backdrop holding signs that say 'First day of college!,' '#WashU!,' 'First day of class!,' & 'Class of 2023!' |
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| Six students standing in front of a red WashU photo backdrop holding signs that say 'Happy first day of classes!,' 'Class of 2023!' & 'Hi family!' |
Involvement on Campus
First 40 at WashU is the University's 40-day welcome back schedule of fun, social, and educational programs which will help introduce your student to their peers,, campus, and St. Louis. All programs are organized into one of six tracks: academic, civic and community engagement, diversity and inclusion, health and wellness, social, and WashU traditions. Students keep track of their attendance at events and have the opportunity to win prizes for participating. Students can mark their calendars for their favorite events through
WUGO
, the Washington University Group Organizer. First 40 events are free and open to all undergraduate students.
The Fall Activities Fair, originally scheduled for August 30th, has been rescheduled for this Friday, September 6th. The Fall Activities Fair offers opportunities to engage with 400+ student organizations. Students can also attend a virtual activities fair anytime they'd like through the WUGO portal. All registered student groups are listed on the site
.
We encourage students to consider joining a student organization in their first semester to find an opportunity to get involved and discover a community of peers as well as explore other opportunities of interest.
Travel Plans
By this time, your first-year student will have finalized the class schedule for his or her first semester. Discuss class and exam schedules with your student and if they are making travel plans for Fall Break, Parent & Family Weekend, or Thanksgiving, now is a good time to finalize these with your student. We also encourage you to look ahead and begin preparations for winter break travel plans by viewing the University's academic calendar.
Academic Support
The college classroom may require a different approach or set of study skills than the methods your student used in high school. Students may also be managing their time in a different way than high school. For some students in large lecture classes, they have likely never been in a class with hundreds of other students before. Other classes are small and require a new level of preparation for full participation and engagement.
We encourage you to jump over to YouTube to hear faculty members share how students can prepare themselves to succeed in this unique academic environment.
For other tips and tricks for students in studying, time management, and more, encourage your student to visit The Learning Center.
Lastly, encourage your student to participate in Classroom Connections if he or she receives an email invitation. Students in large, primarily first-year, lecture courses may be invited by email to sign up to have a free lunch with the participating faculty member and 11 other students.
Campus Support
We at the First Year Center are pleased to be your partner in launching your student into the WashU community. We want to hear from you if there is a serious family or personal matter that will affect your student or if you have questions in coaching your student to utilize the resources at WashU. We appreciate your help in encouraging your student to self-advocate and look forward to supporting both your student and your family in the transition to college.
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Registration for Parent & Family Weekend Opening Today!
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Parent & Family Weekend at Washington University in St. Louis is an opportunity for student and family members to reconnect on campus. Throughout the weekend, you will be able to spend time with your student, meet other Washington University families, meet and learn from outstanding faculty, attend performances, explore the City of St. Louis, and much more.
Highlighted events
- Voices & Sounds A Cappella Concert
- Family Tailgate
- Meet the Deans
- Tours of St. Louis
Many of the ticketed St. Louis tours have limited capacity, so register early to ensure your seat! However, as these tours reach capacity, keep in mind that there are 50+ non-ticketed events families can attend, including faculty lectures, open houses, information sessions, as well as some ticketed and non-ticketed performances and free athletic events.
Non-ticketed events may be found online at the
Parent & Family Weekend schedule of events. All events listed aside from those noted as ticketed events are open for parents and family members to attend conference-style.
Edison Theat
re tickets may be purchased online or by phone for the performance of
Legally Blonde, presented by the Performing Arts Department; current WashU student tickets are free for Edison Theatre productions and may be reserved online or by phone as well.
Many
WashU Athletics events over Parent & Family Weekend are free to students and families. Cheer on the WashU Bears in volleyball and men's and women's soccer. Only the football game requires a ticket, available for purchase on the
Parent & Family Weekend ticket site or at the Francis Field entrance gate.
Plan your visit
Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of the Career Center Mark Smith has shared his family favorites in St. Louis. Visit the Career Center's
St. Louis recommendations for great places to eat, areas of the city to explore, and family-friendly attractions.
Family Discounts
Drury Hotels has special
Parent & Family Weekend rates available for Washington University families. Stay with Drury Hotels for discounted rates from Thursday, October 31st through Sunday, November 3rd.
To reserve a hotel room within the special rate, reserve on or before Sunday, September 23rd.
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Important Information from University Libraries
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Your student may take four to six classes a semester, and depending upon the subject, they may have to purchase 20 books or more.
The University Libraries have access to over
2 billion
print book titles through its catalogs, in addition to
2 million eBooks
in its collections. These books are
free
to access and borrow. While you may not find all of your student's textbooks, if you are able to get 50% of their books, you can save some money.
Encourage your students to consider the following tips to minimize their costs for textbooks:
- Access University Libraries' Textbook Affordability Resource Guide to search for the books that you need. Make sure that all the information about the book matches the book required for the class, i.e. author, title, date, edition, publisher, ISBN, etc. It is important that the book is the exact book required by the instructor.
- Discover if your book is listed in the University Libraries' Course Reserves system.
- Request / recommend the library purchase a required book for a course. (Allow enough time so that the book is available when classes begin.)
- Ask a librarian for help!
Using the University Libraries collections, services, and resources will help your student to get textbooks at little or no cost. It is best to start this process at least a month in advance, prior to classes starting because it is important for your student to have their textbooks on the first day of classes. This will give your student a great start to their first year of college.
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