With an extended winter break arriving early this year, now is the time to start a conversation about expectations. Below are three common sources of tension worth discussing during the early part of the upcoming break.
New Rules and Old Rules
Your student has likely gotten used to making many of their own rules and may expect different house rules than when they left. If the rules are the same, make that clear. Another option is to give your student substantial freedom and watch how they handle it. A third is to slightly adjust the rules that were in place before they left for Miami. As always, you know your student and family, and what's best for you will likely fall somewhere in the middle.
Family Time vs. Friend Time vs. Down Time
Your student may already have plans for reuniting with old friends. Ask your student how much time they plan to spend with friends and how much time with family. Make your expectations for time commitments clear and offer your willingness to be flexible on friend time in exchange for time with family. Try not to overschedule your student for the time they are at home. While you may want them to see family members, it is also important for them to have down time during their break.
Homeward Bound
Additional topics to finalize may include:
- What about their car, if they have one on campus?
- How are they getting home? Or to the airport?
- What should they bring home? (Hint: everything they will need for Winter Break)
Students who have a car on campus are able to leave it in any of the parking lots for which their permit is valid. Fall semester parking permits expire on January 24. We recommend that students who typically park in the Millett Hall West and Chestnut Fields lots leave their car in the Ditmer Field lot (adjacent to the Miami University Police Department) while they are away over break. Students who wish to leave their vehicle in a campus parking garage over break should contact parking customer services in the Campus Services Center (513-529-2224) to purchase garage parking.