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Ask Deanie
| Archives Deanie Kepler's previously published columns |
SMU Parent Liaison Deanie Kepler offers advice on helping your student. |
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Is Your Student Ready For the School Year...
And Are You?
AARO is over…the beginning of school is right around the corner. Is your student ready? Are you as a parent ready? Here are a few friendly reminders:
Safe and Well
• Remind your student to take the AlcoholEdu tutorial online. It is required.
• Be sure to check out the Residence Life and Student Housing Web site regarding prohibited items in the residence hall. Help us keep your student safe!
• Remind your student about safety on campus as well as in the city of Dallas. Role-play different situations they might find themselves in and see how they respond.
• Give your student a copy of your insurance card if he or she is covered by your plan.
• Don’t forget a thermometer and hints on how to use over-the-counter medications should your student get a headache, fever, runny nose, or upset stomach.
• Mark your November calendar to remind your student to get a flu shot.
• Decide what to do about the meningitis vaccine. Did you fully complete your student’s Health History Form?
College Smarts
• Remind your student to take the Academic Honesty tutorial online. It is also required.
• Have a discussion about this year’s Common Reading assignment, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. Students will discuss it together on Monday afternoon during Week of Welcome. Your student will be expected to come prepared.
• Remind your student of what the AARO video said: “If you didn’t wear it last year, don’t bring it!” and “If you didn’t use it last year, don’t bring it!”
• Talk to your student about having a roommate and about the importance of the Roommate Agreement they will fill out during the first two weeks of school.
Taking Care of Business
• Did your student set you up as an Authorized Payer and did he or she fill out the Student Release of Academic Records Form? Information about both are in the Parents Handbook (PDF).
• Be sure your student knows how to separate clothes for the washer and dryer, and don’t forget to send extra quarters!
• Discourage your student from bringing expensive jewelry that cannot be replaced.
For the Family
• Make reservations for Family Weekend 2006, September 15-17. It’ll be a “boot scootin” good time for everyone! Mail your reservation or register online.
• Don’t forget to attend either or both of the Move-In Picnics with your student and other family members: Mustang Cook-Out on Thursday, August 10, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. for those going to Mustang Corral; or the Opening Day Back-to-School Picnic Sunday, August 13, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. for everyone on campus.
• Have you told your student that you love him or her, and that he or she has your utmost confidence? Discuss common expectations concerning issues such as behavior, grades, and money as well as your expectations that he or she can (and you hope will) confide in you should things not go as planned.
Question for Deanie? Ask Deanie at gkepler@smu.edu or 214-768-4797.
