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Duke news and updates from the Office of New Student and Family Programs

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Parent and Family Newsletter

November 2023

Dear Parents and Families,

The holiday season and the end of the calendar year always inspire a time of gratitude. I am reminded that we have so much to be thankful for at Duke- brilliant faculty, resilient student affairs staff, dedicated support staff, and an incredible student body. Each student brings talent and energy to campus, which truly makes Duke "Duke."

As the semester draws to a close, I want to remind you that Duke offers a host of resources both in and out of the classroom as they put the finishing touches on the fall semester. Ask them about the resources they're using and encourage them to take advantage of them. That's why all of us are here at Duke!

In the spirit of gratitude, let me also thank you. Thank you for being an extension of our Duke family and cheering on your students. We're grateful for your partnership in supporting all Duke students.

GO DUKE!

Ben Adams, T ‘08

Senior Associate Dean of Students for QuadEx

Director of New Student and Family Programs

Important Dates

Last Day of Classes: December 8

Final Examinations Period: December 13-18

Check out Duke's Academic Calendar for more information.

Parent & Family Webinar Series

The Office of New Student and Family Programs produces a monthly webinar series to connect families to campus.

THANK YOU to all families who joined us this semester for our Parent & Family Webinar series! In case you missed a webinar, all webinars can be found here.

Family Weekend 2023

Thank you for attending Family Weekend!

It was amazing to welcome all the families that could join us on campus for Family Weekend!

Earlier this month, families who registered received a survey. We thoroughly evaluate your feedback and make changes each year to improve our families' experience.

Your input will be greatly appreciated! If you have yet to receive a survey link, contact familyprograms@duke.edu.

Upcoming Events

Below you will find upcoming events from various departments across campus. We hope your student will take advantage of these great opportunities!

Duke University

Centennial Celebration Kickoff

Duke University

January 9, 2024| Cameron Indoor Stadium | 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm

The entire Duke community is invited to the Centennial Celebration Kickoff on January 9, 2024, at 4:00 pm in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

For more information, check out the Duke Centennial website.

Spring Breakthrough 2024

The Office of Undergraduate Education

Spring Breakthrough offers Duke undergraduate students a free and unique experience led by Duke faculty and staff for 3-4 days during Spring Break (March 11–15, 2024).

Students can sign up for one of Duke’s Spring Breakthrough programs before the end of drop/add. Click here to learn more.

If your student has questions, they can contact fsengagement@duke.edu.

Housing & Residence Life:

Winter Housing

Housing and Residence Life provides limited opportunities for Winter Break housing between the fall and spring semesters. Students need to apply through the Winter Break Application, which is now live via the housing portal. The deadline to submit the application is Tuesday, December 5.

All students approved to stay on campus during Winter Break will remain in their current fall assignment.

For more information regarding the Winter Break 2023 Housing process, click here.

Campus Resource:

The Duke Career Center

The Career Center has six tips to help students make the most of winter break:

1. Relax and enjoy time with family, friends and community! (sleep, for sure)

2. Reflect on the fall semester, consider what you learned about yourself, and how to approach the spring semester.

3. Begin building a network. Connect with new people who may be impactful, and think about how they can contribute insights into personal and professional development. Doing so will allow the opportunity to build a support system intentionally.

4. Explore areas of interest by connecting with family, friends, and friends of family through conducting informational interviews. Search and connect with alumni through the Duke Alumni Directory. Also, this can be a great time to volunteer within the community and job shadow in fields or industries of interest.

5. Review the resume guide and get that resume updated. When connecting with individuals, they may offer to review a resume, so ensure it is updated.

6. Personalize Career Hub and join Career Communities! Doing so will allow your student to explore areas of interest and receive tailored resources that align with interests, goals, and career paths!

The Career Center has a few appointments during winter break, and your student can make an appointment through Handshake. Your student should remember that Spark Your Career is on January 8 before the first day of classes. For more information and registration, students can find this event in Handshake.