What
to Expect
The First Few Weeks on Campus
The first few weeks on campus are an exciting time for students.
They meet new people, test the boundaries of their new found
freedom and begin a new and challenging academic experience.
These first few weeks can be the biggest highlight or the biggest
struggle of your student's college experience. Your student
has a lot on his or her mind; living with a roommate, finding
the right classroom or sharing bathroom facilities with others
for the first time. Whatever the case, the journey through
these first few weeks sets the course for your student's college
career. Many of these experiences will test your student's
ability to balance their academic and social lives. Our staff
is available to answer questions and guide them through this
transition period and help throughout the year.
What to Expect this Semester
New students face many challenges as they adjust to living
on campus. For some, it may be the first time they have
ever shared a room. Others may be struggling with the laid
back approach college professors take and the realization
that they really are responsible for managing their own
time. Though it doesn't happen with every student, most
parents should expect an occasional worrisome call home
from their student. Your student may say "I want to
come home", "I hate it here", or "I
don't fit in." Or your student may be more specific
and tell you "I was up all night studying for a test," or "My
roommate's boyfriend is over all the time." For the
most part, your student just needs to vent. Although you
may be tempted to dive in and troubleshoot, we encourage
you to listen to your student and allow him or her to work
it out for themselves. Direct your student to the resources
on our website which will help them help themselves.
Calls to Expect This Fall
As your student arrives and settles into college life, you
may receive some of the same type of calls that many freshmen
make. These calls can reflect homesickness, dissatisfaction
with a roommate or something in the room, academic overload
and more. Don't be surprised if you answer your phone one
evening and hear some of the following:
•
"I hate it here and want to move home."
•
"I can't study in my room because it is too loud on the
floor."
•
"My roommate has friends in the room all night long and
I can't sleep or study in the room."
•
"The ___ is broken in my room and no one
will come and repair it."
•
"There's only fast food to eat on campus."
It is important to help your student take control of the
situation by trying to discuss it with the roommate, or a
staff member. Many times they have not tried to discuss the
issue because they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or
get anyone upset. All residents have rights in our community
and we want to encourage them to not only know their rights,
but to stand up for them. Some of the questions and advice
to use as you try to help your student include:
•
"Have you talked with your RA (Resident Assistant) or
the RD (Resident Director) about the problem?"
•
"What is the policy or procedure for this issue?"
•
"Have you gone to the Housing Office to talk with one
of the staff there to help?"
•
"What did you find out from Housing when you talked with
them?"
•
"Who in Housing have you been talking with about this?
What advice did they have?"
At times you may feel that you want to talk with someone
in Housing regarding the problem. Due to the Family
Education Rights and Policy Act (FERPA) housing staff cannot disclose
particular information regarding any student who is 18 years
or older. If the student gives us permission to talk to you,
we will be happy to do so. Regardless, we are available to
discuss policy and procedure with you and try to assess what
needs to be done for your student.
Please know that it will be important to us to talk with
your student as well. Therefore, after we have discussed
the situation with you, we will want to have either the hall
staff or someone in our office talk with your student to
make sure things are working out and he/she is ok.
MSC Resources for Parents
Advice for College Parents
Why College Housing
What to Expect
Your Student and a Roommate Conflict
College Safety
Suggested Reading
Recommended Links
Related Links
Housing Home
MSC Housing Residency Requirement
Housing Rates
Housing Contract
FAQ’s
Residence Halls and Apartments
Maverick Housing Guide
MSC Student Handbook
Policies
Resources
Student Health Services
Counseling Services
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