December is upon us, and students are preparing to complete their semester. Some students are preparing for their first ever end-of-semester activities, while others are experiencing the culmination of their journey with December commencement activities just a few weeks away and anticipating the start of their next chapter. Wherever your Spartan is on their academic journey, we’re here to help you support them and celebrate their accomplishments.
We hope you and your Spartan take some time to relax, refresh and recharge during the upcoming break. Many MSU team members, including the Spartan Family Connections team, will be away from campus for the first-ever university winter break closure from Dec. 23-Jan. 2.
This is also a time when many reflect on the past year and plan goals and hopes for the year to come. We look back on our office’s first eight months of existence with appreciation and excitement for connecting with so many Spartan supporters, and we look forward to 2023 when we’ll continue those connections and create more opportunities to provide families with what you need.
Have any recommendations for what you’d like to see in 2023? Email us at family@msu.edu and share your thoughts on what you’d like us to consider.
We wish you all the best in 2023!
Laurin Gierman Director Spartan Family Connections
family.msu.edu
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McDonel Hall Lost Dog
After May 2022 move-out, this well-loved stuffed pup was left behind on accident. If your Spartan, or perhaps a lil’ Spartan in your life, left this sweet pup in McDonel Hall last year, we still have it! This pup has been keeping our student team members company at the Owen Hall Service Center, but we would love to get it back to its loving owner. If you know where this pup calls home, please email us at family@msu.edu!
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Togetherness Webinar: Friday, Dec. 2
With winter break quickly approaching, you're likely preparing to welcome your Spartan home between semesters. If so, you may notice some changes in your student! They also may want to spend more time with friends they haven’t seen than with family. “Togetherness” can be a challenge, especially having created routines away from each other. Register for the Dec. 2 webinar, during which we will touch on these very topics and address possible “togetherness” challenges.
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Webinars Past and Upcoming
This semester, we have had the privilege of offering webinars on involvement, academic advising, safety, health and wellness, and off-campus housing and are pleased to share the transcribed recordings are available on our website.
Watch next month’s newsletter for spring conversations with campus experts to inform you of important campus resources for your student to use. Previous issues of newsletters can also be found here, along with a plethora of resources to help you support your student.
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What Does Finals Week Really Mean?
Families hear about finals week but may not understand what happens on campus during that period. Here’s a quick primer on what this period may look like for your student.
Oftentimes, the week before finals is more stressful for students than finals week itself. The push to finals week may start the week before the published dates, as students have final papers due, exams that some professors choose to administer early, and end-of-semester organization meetings and celebrations. This week can be stressful as the to-do list can be quite lengthy.
Finals week proper is usually more low key for students, as there are typically no student organizations meeting and no class periods aside from the actual final. This means there is often more “down time” than students are used to and, if not careful, procrastination can set in. It’s important to stay as routine as possible to avoid procrastination and those all-nighters that do not work. Sleep, regular exercise, and nutritious meals and snacks are the best things students can do for themselves to be successful during exam time.
Another question we often receive from families is about exam timing. There are a few things to know about final exams and schedules:
- Finals will often be held at a time and location different than the respective class time.
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Finals are all scheduled to be two hours in length, with 15 minutes minimum between exam times. Exams can be scheduled 7:45-9:45 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon, 12:45-2:45 p.m., 3-5 p.m., and 7-9 p.m.
- Students who have three exams scheduled during one calendar day during the final exam period may contact the Academic Student Affairs Office in their colleges for assistance in arranging for an alternate time for one of the three exams.
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Residential dining hours are adjusted during finals week to accommodate students’ changing needs. Find adjusted dining hours and locations here.
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December Commencement
Congratulations to all families celebrating their student’s graduation this semester! We know how much work your student has put in and how important your support has meant to them. You can find all commencement details, including locations, times and parking here.
We are excited to celebrate with you as your Spartan crosses that commencement stage. Graduation regalia for fall 2022 graduates is available to purchase through Dec 19. If your student will be graduating in May, information will be available on this same website in early spring and regalia will be available to purchase beginning March 2023.
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Career Services Network
While job and internship fairs may be on hiatus until spring semester, the folks at Career Services Network are always working hard to prepare your student for what’s next! You can find upcoming events, including the Dec. 6 Lobby Takeover at Billman Music Pavilion with Health and Wellness and finals week resources, free snacks and job opportunities, on their events website.
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Managing End-of-semester Stress
The end of the semester can be a stressful time for students. As they prepare for final exams, transition back home between semesters and look ahead to next semester, remind them of the coping skills that have gotten them this far. Meditation, spending time outdoors, staying hydrated and connecting with people from which they find support and respect can go a long way toward keeping stress under control.
Self-guided resources, including our Virtual Care Kit, podcasts, webinars and more are available on the Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) website. See all our resources here!
The holiday season can also be a difficult time for those who are grieving. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to join CAPS Dec. 6, 5:30–7 p.m., in the Lake Ontario Room at the MSU Union for a listening space about grief and the holidays. This is a time for students to connect with one another, discuss the grieving process and learn how to navigate it during the holiday season. Learn more here.
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MSU Dairy Store
By now you have likely heard about the deliciousness at the MSU Dairy Store. Did you know they can ship products right from their online store? It’s so much fun to get an MSU Dairy Store cheese box for the holidays! You can also walk in to purchase items during their open hours, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Sign up for their e-newsletter and learn about their product availability and monthly specials using the link at the bottom of their home page. Questions? Email MSU Dairy store at msudairystore@msu.edu.
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The State News
The State News is one of the last independent nonprofit student-run media organizations in the country. Support their work and keep up to date on student experiences on and around campus by viewing their latest edition.
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Undergraduate Action Items
On a monthly basis, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Dr. Mark Largent and Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement Vennie Gore send an Action Item email to all undergraduate students. You can find this messaging here.
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