Category Archives: Things to Know

Active Minds Session Recap

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On April 19, the Active Minds student group and the Health and Counseling Center hosted an engaging discussion on ways to support your student during this time of transition. We greatly appreciate the student leaders and staff members who offered this opportunity. For those who were not able to join the call, we’ve compiled some of the information and resources that were shared, including insight into what students want parents to know.

Please see the UP Virtual Resources for Mental Health Support, which was compiled by UP’s Academic Health Network and shared during the session.

Student Feedback for Caregiver Support Meeting

Leading up to this parent/caregiver session, Active Minds surveyed their peers online to better understand how they were feeling about recent transitions and what they would want their families to know. While most of the survey participants were currently living with family during quarantine, about one-third were not. You can view answers to the survey below.

What has been the most difficult part of being home with family?

When asked what kind of advice caregivers would benefit most from, students ranked the following:

  • How to support my mental and emotional health during quarantine
  • How to give me privacy and respect boundaries
  • How to communicate feelings/emotions with me
  • How to support me in academics

What would you like your family to know/learn about in regards to your being back home for quarantine?

  • Even though I am living under your roof once again, I am still an adult.
  • Just because I am sad about missing school doesn’t mean I’m not thankful to be home.
  • Stop telling me to “suck it up,” “stop whining,” “be thankful for what you have,” etc. It doesn’t help.
  • Alone time is healthy.
  • Just because your coping mechanisms are different than mine doesn’t mean they are better or more helpful.
  • I have grown and changed since going away and my responsibilities are my own.
  • Just because I didn’t go home doesn’t me I don’t love you.
  • It is hard to be constantly checked up upon or micromanaged when I am at home when I am so used to being independent and on my own. Instilling guilt is not helpful – it is toxic.
  • It is really hard to be away from friends and significant others. Facetiming and texting is not the same as in-person interaction. And yes – we are excited to be with our families, but we are supposed to be at school and it is okay if we are sad about it. We also have routines at school that are just not replicated at home which is hard. I would say to my parents: I love you, but I miss my friends and school.
  • Part of the reason I am not coming home is to support their safety and well-being.
  • For parents of seniors who are not moving home until after graduation, please be gentle with them. Seniors are trying their best to figure out post-grad life, especially in this pandemic.
  • The importance of honest, non-accusatory, emotional communication with I-statements!
  • I would like them to know that schoolwork has not gotten any easier and that I am grieving for the loss of graduation and the closure I hoped to obtain with professors and classmates.
  • After being at college, we see ourselves as being different people from the people we were at the beginning of the year. We have gotten accustomed to living on our own and making our own decisions. Please be patient with us as we adapt to living at home again and we will do our best to follow what you would like us to do. Please also understand the quick transition we all had to make and that we are still feeling some emotional grief at losing half a semester and having to say goodbye to UP and our friends in just a few short days. There is some healing that needs to happen as well. We understand that this situation is for the greater good and we are doing our best to stay positive, but it is a difficult time for us to be at home and doing online classes nonetheless.
  • I do not have free time on my hands as my siblings who are also adults but not in college now do have. I am still taking 19 credits and trying to achieve the best grades possible. My schoolwork sometimes needs to come before chores for me and I should not get yelled at for this.
  • I’m not a child anymore and this isn’t a vacation – please understand that.
  • School is honestly the last thing many people are worried about at the moment, but it feels like such a determining factor for our future. How can parents/caregivers support us in figuring out how to handle our lack of caring about school? 
  • We are still students and still have an immense workload. Trying to finish off school in this scenario is stressful enough, not even counting in the fact that we’ve been ripped away from our in-person classes and the support of friends. In some cases, we have spent four or more years away from our parents to accomplish our school work. Being back at home now is not the same as it was in high school or being home for a break. Privacy and space as well as independence is crucial.

For more information regarding this session, please feel free to reach out to parents@up.edu, and we will connect you with the appropriate resource.

Fall 2020 Course Opportunities

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Beyond your student’s core classes and major requirements, there are many other class offerings available that can help them develop leadership skills and prepare for internships and future careers. Check out these exciting additional classes being offered during the Fall 2020 semester and encourage your student to register!

Leader Certificate Program for Fall 2020

Has your student considered registering for a Fall Semester leadership course in the Franz Center Leader Certificate Program? Our world needs people like your student to make a positive impact through their leadership in local, national, and global issues. Courses are 1 credit and meet once per week in the fall. All students can register for the first course in the program (LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership), and all majors are welcome!

Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program receive priority in the RA selection process with Residence Life! Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program (by taking LDR 225) also receive priority in the selection process for the popular Global Perspectives on Leadership course (most recently traveling to amazing locations like New Zealand).

Students can learn more or contact Dr. Dave Houglum at houglum@up.edu with questions.

CAS 197: Internship & Career Preparation

Fall 2020: Mondays, 5:45–6:40 p.m.

Did you know that applied and project-based experiences, particularly internships, give students an edge with employers after graduation? Recent surveys show that 60% of hiring managers are much more likely to hire a recent graduate with internship experience on their resume. Internships give students valuable experience and help them develop skills employers are looking for! 

In this class, we’ll cover the career planning process including self-exploration, occupational exploration, internship planning, and how to conduct a job search. After taking the course, students will be better prepared to make informed career decisions and to locate satisfying internships or positions after graduation. Assignments include working on career materials to apply for future internships and/or jobs, such as a resume, cover letter, and a professional brand online (LinkedIn). Any student interested in completing an internship or expanding their career development should register for the course. Students who want to complete their internship for credit this summer should contact Elizabeth Jones, CAS Academic Internship Coordinator, at jonesel@up.edu. 

CAS 291 Career Planning + Life Design

Fall 2020: Wednesdays, 5:45–6:40 p.m.

CRN 11451

It might be difficult for your student to know when or how to start navigating the big questions surrounding life after UP. They might be unsure about their major, or even how their major connects to career options. This class offers the tools and community to explore ideas and develop a creative, proactive approach to career and life planning. If students have any questions or if they have difficulty registering, they should reach out to Chelsea Chase at chase@up.edu.

UP Offices Open During the Summer

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While many students will be on break from classes this summer, UP offices are still open for business, even if virtually! Most offices are “open” all summer and happy to speak with students via phone, email, and even Microsoft Teams regarding academic planning, career planning, or other topics. In fact, it may be smart to tackle some questions or conversations over the summer while these offices are quieter, rather than waiting until the first week of the fall semester.

Below are a few items to consider!

Career Exploration

  • The Career Center is here to help if your student needs assistance searching for a job, networking or navigating LinkedIn, preparing for an interview, negotiating a job offer, or chatting about graduate school. They are available virtually by phone or video chat. Check out their virtual services page for action steps and resources. The Career Center serves both students and alumni! It’s never too early or too late to connect to the multitude of resources they offer. Students can continue to schedule their appointments throughout the summer via Handshake.

Class Schedule or Major Discussions

  • Is your student wanting to speak to someone about their schedule or major? They can always contact their school or college directly with questions.
  • Fall class registration will be open through the first week of classes! Schedules change and certain classes may open up over the summer. Every year, the University needs to plan for the incoming first-year class, and one of the requirements is that there are spaces saved for new students arriving in the fall. Last year, there were over 4000 spaces reserved in several subjects for the class of 2023. After registration for the incoming first year students is complete, those first-year restrictions are “removed” – usually on August 1. On this date, there are usually no spaces open, but as students decide to cancel their fall registration, spots will open up in these classes.
  • For students who want a class that is currently unavailable, it is recommended that they store their PIN for registration somewhere that is easily accessible. That way if a spot opens up in August, students don’t have to track down their advisor to get their PIN in order to access the registration portal and make changes to their schedule. Waitlists may also be available online through Self-Serve for certain classes that have filled. Encourage your student to explore these options.
  • In general, if students have questions regarding classes, it is best that they go through their school or college and speak with their Program Counselor or academic advisor. If a student has bigger questions or doesn’t know where to go, they can always start with the Shepard Academic Resource Center.

Tutoring

  • Some tutoring will be offered during the summer, so please visit the Shepard Center’s Learning Commons website for up-to-date schedules and offerings.

Connecting with the Pilot Network

  • Summer is the perfect time for utilizing Switchboard! No matter where students live, they can connect to Pilots through UP’s online community. Many students reach out to alumni for advice on graduate school, finding a place to live, or advice in a particular field of work. Students can sign up here.

Do you have further questions about UP during the summer months? Contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations, and we would be happy to direct you to the appropriate office or resource on campus!