March 26, 2008
The First Year is Almost Over: What Comes Next?
By Grant Woodman
Director of Campus Life
With their first year of college almost under their belt, it is already time for students to be thinking about a few things that will help them continue building that solid foundation they started in their first year of school.
First, they should register for fall classes. Fall 2008 registration occurs during the last two weeks of March.
Second, they should consider enrolling in a summer course to help boost their number of credits or shore up a grade point average (other articles discuss this in more detail).
Third, they should secure their on-campus housing for the coming year. The housing process started at the beginning of March and continues throughout the month. For some students, room selection may be vexing because they have difficulty finding a roommate or, due to lack of seniority, their first choice of location is already full. By the end of the process we hope any challenges are sorted out and your student will be relaxed and looking forward to their time at home.
Key Dates to Remember
April 18—Winter term ends, residence halls close for non-graduating students at 5 p.m.
April 19—Commencement; Residence Halls closed to all students at 5 p.m.
April 26—Residence Halls re-open for spring term at noon.
April 27—First day of spring term.
May 22—Spring term ends, Residence Halls closed for all students at 5 p.m.
May 31—Summer Housing opens at noon.
August 17—Fall Sports/Band camp move in, camps begin.
August 21—Summer Housing/Fall Sports/Band camp ends; students move to fall housing.
Bear in mind that your student probably has enjoyed more autonomy than ever before over the past nine months. Even though she or he has been consistently in contact with you, your students have handled the day-to-day and hour-to-hour decision-making. They have set new schedules and patterns for their lives that are probably different from when they left last fall. When they return home for the summer, consider discussing their intended summer schedule and, if useful, introduce some new ground rules or at least make the old ones fit.
Take comfort in the fact that they are adults making their own decisions and taking responsibility for the sometimes challenging and sometimes rewarding consequences of their decisions.
As much as they enjoy being home, some students want to return to College about two weeks after they cross your threshold (or so it seems). Students miss their friends, their autonomy and the community that is Alma College. Residence halls are open to students Labor Day weekend. There are exceptions for those participating in sanctioned College activities such as fall sports or part of the band (which return August 17th).
This is a great time in the lives of Alma College families. We hope you enjoy your summers together. As always, the Alma College Office of Student Life is here if you or your student need help.
If you have questions, please let me know. We have enjoyed having your students as part of the Alma College community this year, and we look forward to their return in the fall.
Contact: Grant Woodman, (989) 463-7147
