Navigating Your Student's First Long Weekend Home
This year is Grand Valley's first fall-break (October 20-22). For some of you, this may be your student's first long weekend home since moving them in back in August. While it has only been five weeks since classes began, you may notice that your student has already changed a bit. They are transitioning into a new life which entails many new responsibilities. Sometimes as a parent or supporter it may be difficult to let go of some of these responsibilities that you've overseen for so many years. While your student is here to further their education, it is important to remember that they are also here to learn how to be a more independent and responsible individual. This may be especially hard when your student calls saying they are homesick, but just remember that this is a normal part of the transition. They may be seeing posts on social media of their friends who are still back home and may feel like they are missing out on the traditions they were a part of when they were in high school. Remind them that it is normal for new friendships to take time to form and that friendships can only to get stronger if they put in the effort to make those memories and experience traditions with their new friends.
Although it will be tempting to pepper your student with questions on how their classes are going as soon as they get home for fall break, remember to check in on their wellbeing. Your student may be feeling stressed or happy due to their midterm grades. Your student is still feeling a range of emotions and sometimes they just need someone to listen. Avoid the temptation to solve their problems, hear your student out, and then ask them if they are aware of the resources on campus and if they have taken advantage of them. Conversations such as these can be a learning experience for your student; put them in the driver's seat to figure out a plan of action while supporting them along the way.
The Division of Student Affairs cares about your student's success and is always here to provide guidance. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If your student needs academic support, there are many resources on campus ready to assist your student in ending the semester on a positive note.
Lastly, now that we are into the academic year, and your student may have already called you a few times for guidance, we are interested to know where you look to for your information. Do you look to your Family Guide (given to you during summer orientation)? Did orientation prepare you with the proper information? Please complete our quick survey and be entered to win some of our Family Weekend prizes: three tailgate tickets, three Shakespeare Festival tickets, or three t-shirts. We appreciate your feedback and thank you in advance!
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Family Weekend 5K
Registration is open for the annual GVSU Family Weekend 5K run/walk on Sat, Oct 5 at
9 a.m.
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Health Check Emotional wellness allows us to experience inevitable disappointments, setbacks, and frustrations while maintaining our physical and mental health. But navigating difficult feelings and experiences can prove challenging for not only students, but those who care about them. Below are tips to help identify whether your student is struggling with emotional wellness, as well as ways to be of support.
Your student may be struggling if:
- Your student's mood has changed.
- Your student is more anxious than usual. Some anxiety is normal - healthy even! But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or makes it difficult for a student to do the things that are important to them, it may be time for them to seek help.
- Your student is isolated. During times of emotional stress, students may isolate themselves from close friends or the entire college experience.
- Your student isn't taking good care of themselves. For some students, this may look like drastic changes to their sleep schedule, diet, or hygiene - or the use of drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings.
If you are concerned about your student's emotional wellness:
- Provide emotional support. Validate your student's feelings and do your best to avoid judgement and quick fixes - sometimes we all just need to feel heard and be reminded that we are not alone.
- Give your student a (gentle) reality check. Sometimes it can help to challenge beliefs that are either not true or not helpful. Reminding students to be mindful of their negative thoughts can help them rewrite what they tell themselves and, ultimately, how they feel.
- Remind your student that staying connected helps. Supportive relationships and a feeling of connectedness are important to good mental health. Encourage your student to foster their friendships and stay involved - both are linked to improved mood and academic success.
- Encourage self-care. Encourage your student to exercise, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep. Remind them to take the time to do things that make them feel good - like watching a movie or spending time with a friend, these can help students cope.
Everyone struggles sometimes - but if your student's symptoms don't go away with time, are impacting the quality of their life, or have otherwise become concerning, the University Counseling Center is here to help. Resources for parents and students can be found on the University Counseling Center website. Students can also call (616) 331-3266 to schedule an appointment with a clinician to learn more about the options available.
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The FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year is now open. Using the IRS data retrieval tool to pull 2018 tax information makes the process even easier.
Also, the online scholarship database, myScholarships, opened October 1 and is ready for your student to apply for over 500 scholarship opportunities for the 2020-2021 year.
Set aside time with your student to file the FAFSA and explore myScholarships in order to maximize financial aid for next year.
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Housing Selection Process
Our Fall 2020/Winter 2021 Housing Application is open! Unlike off-campus apartments, there is no cost associated with signing a contract with us for 2020-2021. Your student's current housing deposit carries over and is refundable through May 1, 2020. The earlier you apply for on-campus housing, the more likely you'll be assigned your first choice! This is a great option for students who know they want to live on campus. First year students who apply by October 8 get to skip the self-selection process and our housing staff will automatically place them. Our returning student self-selection process opens to all GVSU students in November and runs through March. If your student wishes to change roommates, buildings, or room preferences after applying, these changes can be made in myHousing throughout the year.
For questions about our selection process or housing options, visit gvsu.edu/housing, email housing@gvsu.edu, or call (616) 331-2120.
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Does your student need to choose or change their major?Majors Fair: Wednesday, Nov 13 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale CampusMajors Fair will provide an opportunity for students to meet with faculty, advisors, and alumni from a variety of academic majors to discuss majors and career options. Students can find out about major requirements, including admission criteria to the major, minors to complement the major, and discuss career pathways.
Come to Consider and Compare Majors and Minors at the Majors Fair.
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Game Day Tips for You and Your Student from GVPDGVSU is hosting a total of three home football games in October including Family Weekend on October 5 and Homecoming on October 26. The GVSU Football experience is one of the best in the nation for Division II Football.
Game Day Safety Tips:
- Celebrate Responsibly - Pace yourself. Eat a good meal before the game and drink plenty of water.
- Plan Ahead - Make sure you allow enough travel time to get to campus and find parking. Traffic can be quite busy!
- Make your Laker Effect - Represent Grand Valley with pride, class, and good sportsmanship.
We want to help support a tremendous Laker Experience on game day and always. Community safety is important.
Follow GVPD on Twitter - @GVSUPolice for gameday information and updates on all things police related at GVSU.
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JCPenney Suit-Up Event
All Grand Valley students and their families are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event at RiverTown Crossings Mall on October 6 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.!
Lakers and their families receive up to 60% off career dress apparel, accessories, and shoes. Help prepare students for internships, interviews, and jobs. Families are welcome to shop too but the store will be closed to the public so make sure to arrive with your GVSU family member!
We look forward to seeing you at our Suit-Up Event! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns:
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Fall Career & Internship FairThe Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place for students to explore career opportunities or to kick off their job or internship search. They can start networking with organizations looking to connect with Grand Valley students and alumni of all majors! Over 230 employers with THOUSANDS of immediate openings are expected to attend. Students should attend the Career Fair on October 16, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. to:
- meet face-to-face with employers to discuss internship and full-time positions
- connect with organizations conducting on-campus interviews
- build their professional network and expand their job search
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Study Abroad FairStudying abroad can be a transformative experience for your student and GVSU offers many different options for those who are interested. We have faculty-led programs, partnership programs, internships, independent study, and non-GVSU programs that are sponsored by another institution or study abroad organization. To help your student decide on which program and country is the best for them, enourage your student to attend the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, October 15 at the Kirkhof Center in the Grand River Room from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
To hear about students' study abroad experiences, watch the video below!
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Important Dates
October 1-June 30, 2019 - Applications open for financial aid, FAFSA, and scholarships
October 20-22, 2019 - Fall Break
October 25, 2019 - Drop Deadline - "W" grade
November 27-December 1, 2019 - Thanksgiving Break
December 7, 2019 - Classes End
December 9-14, 2019 - Final exams
December 13, 2019 - On Campus Housing closes for winter break
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