Below is a typical outline of events which take place during the new student’s welcome weekend:
Dean’s Reception
Dean’s Welcome (for students only)
New Student Orientation Meeting
New Student Department Meetings
Students meet with Peer Advisors on Saturday morning
Schedule adjustments are made with peers or faculty/staff
All students are assigned an Academic Advisor in the Office of Student Services. The Academic Advisor will remain in the student success network as the point of contact for academic advising throughout the student’s enrollment in the college.
Students are also assigned a faculty mentor in their major that will play a larger role beginning in their sophomore year.
Successfully transitioning to college involves:
Learning to be a college student
Importance of self-efficacy and ownership
Learning to balance your academics with other aspects of your life
Recognizing that college is harder than high school and requires more work and self-discipline
Treating yourself and others with respect
Developing realistic goals and expectations
Taking care of yourself both proactively as well as learning to handle stress effectively
Following SU policies and procedures including deadlines (e.g. add/drop, withdraw, the Intra-University Transfer Process, declaring majors and minors)
The importance of communication
Learning and using SU technology (MySlice, Blackboard, etc.);
Learning the registration process;
How and when to seek support (e.g. Student Services) and resources on campus.
Contact your student through email or a phone call during the summer to introduce themselves
Will meet with students on Saturday to answer general questions and to help with schedule adjustments
Provide pre-registration support
Resource throughout their first year
Our department uses a proactive, strengths-based advising approach when working with students, so we listen to your concerns, identify your strengths and challenges and work towards positive solutions. We prefer to see students when their academic, social and/or emotional concerns first arise so we can work on solutions before a crisis occurs, or things are “too far gone” to make an impact in the semester.
Typical issues that students talk to us about are:
Concerns with their classes/grades
Time management (fitting everything in and developing a balanced schedule for school and play)
Study and learning strategies
Learning disabilities (whether already diagnosed or suspected)
Relationship issues (roommates, friendships, romantic)
Depression and anxiety
Drug and alcohol Issues
Homesickness
Sexual orientation and gender identity issues
Getting connected and making friends on campus
Lifestyle concerns (sleeping, eating, developing routines, etc.)
Health issues (personal and/or family)
We also collaborate with many other resources on campus and may connect you to them if it would be helpful for your particular concerns (see Campus Resources)
Academic Advisors provide support and referral to students with various disabilities
Support and referral for students with mental and/or physical health issues
Support advising and referral to academic support services for students on academic probation
Facilitate referrals to other relevant services on campus or in the community
First-Year Seminar (FYS) 101 is a 15-week, 1-credit course that engages all first-year and transfer students in guided conversations, experiential activities, and written assignments about transitioning to Syracuse University campus life, exploring their identities as they situate themselves in a new context, and understanding how they will relate to and interact with other students, faculty and staff in contributing to a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse campus community.
Students will explore the areas of belonging, interdependence, health and wellness, development of identity, socialization, prejudice, discrimination, bias and stereotypes within their FYS 101 section, in University-sponsored experiential activities, and in school/college level sponsored experiential activities. To facilitate meaningful small group discussions, each class hosts no more than 19 students from multiple schools and colleges. Each section will be led by a pair of facilitators selected from experienced staff, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.
As part of FYS 101, the Home College Experience (HCE) provides discipline-specific opportunities for you to connect to and build community within your home school or college. Special programming includes interactive outdoor events, performances, registration fairs, engagement opportunities with major-based student organizations and more. These experiences are essential to students successfully building community, and a sense of belonging, as well as strengthening their academic identity.
The activities scheduled for these experience weeks will vary by school/college. Students should follow their home school/college’s instructions and email communications regarding where to go.
We are partners in helping your student successfully navigate their way through their college experience.
You are moving from a Parent-Child to a Parent-Adult relationship. College students need to learn how to do things on their own and figure things out (using critical thinking and problem-solving skills). Will they always be successful and make the right decisions? Maybe not, but we will work together to help them learn from their mistakes.
Do communicate your caring and support.
Do set up communication expectations.
Do ask more general and open questions like:
What kinds of things did you do today?
What kinds of things are you learning?
What do you think is going well?
What kinds of challenges are you finding?
The goal is to get your student to have a two way conversation with you
Share what’s going on in your life.
Help siblings stay in touch (e. g. Skype, face time).
Go to classes.
Time management (readings, assignments, studying, preparing for test and projects, socializing).
Encourage them to talk directly to their Professors and/or Instructors, Teaching Assistants. Everyone has office hours or they can make an appt.
Ask for help and use available resources.
Join a club or organization – Student Involvement Fair is usually around September.
Connect with other students in your classes – find study buddies.
Room and residence hall mates.
Participate in campus activities – speakers, movies, exhibits, sport and art events. Get the daily SU email newsletter, Falk Talk to find out what’s going on.
Participate in community and volunteer activities.
Listen, Listen, Listen…
Provide support and ask them what they want to do. Help them talk it through
Offer “gentle reminders”
Tell them it’s okay to ask for help and encourage them to seek assistance before they get too lost or too far behind
Tutoring
Counseling/Mental Health/ Alcohol/Drug Services, Syracuse University Office of Disabilities
SU complies with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to maintain the confidentiality of student records
Students can give consent for parents to view their grades through MySlice (“Share my access”)
Generally, students will need to sign consent forms to share other information with parents
However, parents will be notified in emergency situations or if the well-being of a student is in question
During a typical Welcome Weekend, parents leave after lunch on Friday. Students will be heading to College and Department Meetings. Student will need time to meet people in their dorms and get organized for classes on Monday.
Contact the Parents Office at 315-443-1200
Visit them in the Schine Center – Suite 228F
Follow the parents office on Twitter @SUParents
Family Weekend is in October. Hope to see you then!