The Crusader Update

20 Tips to Surviving the Freshman Year

Parents play a critical role in the success of students. Since your son or daughter has just started classes here at UMHB, let me share "20 Tips to Surviving the Freshmen Year" with you.

1. Go to class! It is the kiss of death to miss class.
2. Set ground rules with your roommate. You'll never regret knowing exactly where both of you stand.
3. Be considerate to your roommate. Selfishness has no place at college.
4. If you commute to UMHB, don't just stop in for classes. Stay on campus and get involved.
5. Set a goal for your grade point average (GPA).
6. Get to know all your professors and where their offices are located.
7. Visit with your academic advisor at least four times.
8. Find the quietest place on campus and visit it for 3 hours, 3 times a week.
9. Develop a sense of belonging, get involved, and make friends.
10. Know where you can receive academic assistance. For example, our Advising and Retention Center offers free tutoring for all freshmen courses. Take advantage of the help!
11. Sleep is very important. Staying up until 3:00 a.m. will take its toll with missed morning classes. (See tip #1.)
12. Always have someone read over a paper you're ready to turn in.
13. Be very careful about disobeying UMHB rules. Drug/Alcohol use, pulling fire alarms, etc. could get you expelled.
14. Be prepared for some homesickness. It goes away.
15. Keep lines of communication open: talk with parents, friends, and professors.
16. File for financial aid before Spring Break of each year. Failure to file early could cost you big dollars.
17. Treat other students with respect.
18. Fully understand: "You are responsible for your actions." You will have an incredible amount of freedom. Do not abuse it.
19. Parents:
1. College is one more milestone.
2. Listen! Listen! Listen!
3. Don't rush in to save the day.
4. Let your son or daughter work through the dilemma.
20. This is not high school. Be prepared to work hard!

Parents, let me emphasize Tips #1 and #9. While high school attendance was mandatory for your son or daughter, skipping college classes is possible - though strongly discouraged. Skipping classes is an early warning sign that there will be trouble in other areas of the student's life. Encourage your son or daughter to attend every class meeting. In addition, encourage them to find a place to get involved on campus. The sum of your student's education is more than the class work he/she will do. Learning to lead in a student organization, intramural team, student government position, or being involved in mission or service work will give your son or daughter a broad learning experience at UMHB.

Go Cru!
Steve

Dates to Document:

Plan ahead now for Family Weekend, October 12-13. More information to come. 

Did you know?

UMHB's student-run newspaper has won regional, state, and national journalism awards. The Bells has been ringing in the truth since 1866. Although their website is going through a transition, bookmark it and see what's happening around campus from time to time. Their web address is http://www.umhb.edu/onlinebells.