A NEW WORLDHelping Your Student Make a Successful

Transition to The College of New Jersey

Presented by:Ceil O’Callaghan, Assistant Vice President

for Student AffairsMagda Manetas, Associate Vice President

for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

GoalsTo help families prepare their student for the

transition to college life To help you in guiding your student to develop

realistic expectations of the college experience

To help you work with your student to plan strategies to cope with these challenges and to take advantage of opportunities

To provide families with information about TCNJ and the resources available to your student

To review our goals for student learning and the student experience

Partnering with ParentsOrientation SessionsCheck-In Day Open House – August 23, 2012Student Affairs Email – sa@tcnj.eduParents Webpage –

http://parents.pages.tcnj.edu/Parents ListserveFamily Weekend – October 19-20, 2012Assistant VP for Student Affairs – 609-771-

2201 Dean of Students – 609-771-2455Student Health 101 NewsletterParental Notification LetterFERPABilling Notification - ~sfs/account/ - Auxiliary

Access UserParent & Family Association Executive Board

American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment II Survey Results

Issues of Concern:Anxiety - StressConcern for Troubled Friend/Family MemberAlcohol UseRelationship ProblemsDepressionColds/Sore Throat/Flu/AllergiesSleep Difficulties

Addressing College Health Issues:What does TCNJ do?What can you do?

Health and Safety

Transition to: Taking More Responsibility for Personal Health and Safety Increased Level of Independence Change in Environment – Supervision at Home to Supervision in College Change in Consequences – State and College Processes

Strategies for Success: Discuss Parental Expectations Understand Expectations of the College & Consequences for Violations Question/Challenge Connection of Substance Use to the College

Experience Students Who Are Actively Engaged in their Education Less Likely to

Use Alcohol Anticipate Need for Healthy Coping Strategies for College Health Issues Seek Assistance – Residence Director, Alcohol and Drug Education

Program, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services

Guide Them Regarding Value of Peer Support

Student Health Insurance Program

Campus SafetyMore Strategies…Think About Safety in New EnvironmentTake Time Before Trusting Individuals New to

ThemTravel with Others When On and Off CampusBe Aware of and Utilize 9-1-1/Campus Police 24-

7/Bike Patrols/Escort RequestsLock Residence Hall Rooms & CarsSupport Campus Safety Features (exterior doors,

24-7 residence hall card swipe access system)Campus Text-Messaging System – Student &

Parent Subscription

Academic Effort and SuccessTransition to: Fewer Grading Opportunities – Uncertainty of Status Relationship with Faculty Fish in a New Pond More Challenging Than They Anticipated Engaging in Learning Experience

Strategies for Success: Get to Know Faculty & Work with Academic Advisor Refer to Syllabus and Work Backwards from Major Assignments

and Tests to Prepare Develop and Apply a Study Plan Act Quickly to Address Problems – Faculty/Tutoring/Center for

Academic Success Keep and Analyze a Time Log

First Year Residential ExperienceHousing Office must have online Housing Application

before placing student

Student will be notified by email regarding their room assignment and roommate(s) by the first week of August – check “My Housing” for details

Housed by FSP Theme in Doubles and Quads in Travers/Wolfe, Allen, Brewster and Norsworthy halls.

Move-In Day – August 23rd – Welcome Week begins – specific move-in periods posted on Residential Education and Housing website: Hall Opening & Closing

Commitment to Campus Housing First & Second Year

Roommate RelationshipsTransition to:• Living in Close Quarters with Someone You’ve Just Met• First Year Housing by First Seminar• Communicating Appropriately and Assertively• Participating in Process of Problem-Solving

Strategies for Success:• Develop Realistic Expectation of Relationship • Be Honest During Roommate Contract Discussion• Anticipate Need to Communicate Honestly• Address Concerns Early• Seek Assistance- Community Advisor/Residence Director• Engage in Mediation Process

Dealing with Personal FinancesTransition to:Increased Control Over & Responsibility for

ExpendituresFirst Experience with a Credit CardFirst Experience with a Meal Plan

Strategies for Success:Parental Discussion of Spending/Saving

ExpectationsExplicit Guidelines for Credit Card UseUse of Debit Card in Place of Credit CardTrack Expenses – Checking In Alternate Bill Payer Option for ParentsEmployment

Navigating a SystemTransition to:• Need to Accomplish Tasks Independently• Learning to Take Responsibility

Strategies for Success:• Read TCNJ Material and Forms• Identify Information Source and Record Information• Pay Attention to Deadlines• Speak Up and Ask Questions• Guide and Support But Don’t Do It For Them • Utilize Dean of Students

Divesting and InvestingTransition to:New EnvironmentDistance from Loved Ones Need to Develop New Social NetworkFeeling Homesick

Strategies for Success:Anticipate Changes in Relationships & InteractionPrepare for Possibility of Ending RelationshipAnticipate Possibility of Homesickness –

Acknowledge that Other Students Experience It, Ways to Cope with It

Encourage Them to Stay on Campus - Visit Them Here

Getting Involved Transition to:Trying New ActivitiesIndependent Decisions on Time Use

Strategies for Success:Attend Student Activities FairExplore Campus – Art Gallery, Hiack

Observatory, Concert Hall“Try On” Activities and Organizations Ask Upperclass Students, Staff and FacultyUtilize Student Activities WebsiteConsider Balance of Academics, Campus

Involvement and Personal Time

“Light” Bulbs

Making The Most of College by Dr. Richard Light, Harvard Graduate School of Education

What Did He Learn About Student Success in College? Students Should:

• Act Quickly to Address Problems • Get to Know Their Faculty

• Study in Groups• Track, Analyze & Improve Time Use