New Student Orientation Booklet

Life in the Community As you would probably expect, your relationship with your son or daughter will undergo some changes in the coming months and years. Be ready! Here are some tips on how to make the transition smoother for you and your student. If possible, plan a campus visit (i.e. concert, football game, movie) with your student. Take your son or daughter and their new friends to lunch, dinner or an outing. You will not believe how many friends your student has when a free meal is involved, especially at the end of the semester when money is low. If you include friends, you are a welcomed guest just about any time. Do not show up on campus unannounced. 1. Send lots of mail , especially in the beginning of the year. No matter how many times you call or text, they truly want to have something tan- gible in their mailbox. Your student will be thrilled to receive an article of clothing once in a while or some- thing silly. During the semester, send a beloved food item. If your student comes home for the weekend, send the leftovers back to campus. 2. If you live in an area where there is a Weis or a Giant, buy gift cards for your student . You know the money will go for what it was intended: food. 3. If your student lives in an apartment, plan to cook a favorite dinner once or twice a year for your student and his/her friends . You will not believe the appreciation you will receive and the love they feel! 4. For holidays that you are not with them , send something appropriate (i.e. plastic pumpkin filled with Halloween candy, Valentines, Easter baskets, etc.) They love these traditions whether they are at home or not. 5. Have your student do a weekly budget instead of a monthly budget for the first year. 6. If your student doesn’t know how to do their own laundry, show them now. Save quarters for the machines. 7. Remember you have limited control over your student . Have pa- tience. Trust your student to make the appropriate decisions. 8. Treat your student as an adult. Remember parental guidance does not mean trying to control your student’s decisions or actions from home. Keep criticisms to yourself and you will be able to keep the lines of communication open. 9. Encourage your student to foster a good relationship with their aca- demic advisor and career counselor and that they continue to seek their advice throughout their time at KU. As students become more confident, they tend to think they know everything. Mistakes can prove costly in terms of expense and possible delayed graduation. Persuade your student to develop a network of peers, administra- tors, faculty, and staff they can count on for advice and guidance. 10. If your student begins to have any academic challenges, contact CASA (Center for Academic Success and Achievement) early on. Don’t wait until they are on academic warning. If you have any questions you can email them at casa@kutztown.edu 11. Students who get involved on campus have greater academic suc- cess than students who only study. KU has over 160 clubs and organizations. Encourage your student to explore what’s available. 12. It may take longer for your student to complete their degree than originally expected. Whatever the reason, try to remain supportive. For transfer stu- dents and first-time freshmen, classes may be more demanding than their pre- vious institution. Remind your student about academic support services and career counseling appointments which can help! 41