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During our daughter’s first semester at A&M, we didn’t anticipate the new struggles she would encounter as she transitioned into college life. She began facing challenges in areas that previously came easily to her. She had always performed well in school and wasn’t accustomed to spending much time studying. When college began, she found herself underperforming in her classes and unsure of how to respond. It was a new challenge both for her and us.

To be honest, her first semester was awful. Her grades reflected it. She didn’t have any studying or time management skills, and she didn’t know how tutoring worked. The end of a relationship with her boyfriend was just the icing on top. She was depressed, lost all confidence in herself, lost weight, and ended up on probation in her sorority because of her grades. These failures embarrassed and humiliated her. At times during her first semester, the prospect of a successful college career seemed out of reach.

[Read more…] about A Family’s Challenges During the First Year

Thank you to all who joined our webchat with Dr. Maggie Gartner of the Student Counseling Service! A link to the full recording is available here. For those who missed it or are looking for resources shared during the chat, here are a few of the offices and support services that were mentioned:

[Read more…] about Student Counseling Service Webchat Recording and Resources

Planning a visit during gameday weekend? We’ve compiled a list of recommendations from our Parent & Family Advisory Council members to help make your weekend in Bryan-College Station memorable from start to finish.

Get Active
Visit the Rec Center with your student to swim a few laps, play a game of handball, or jog around the track. Alternatively, attend a class at a local yoga studio or plan your trip for the weekend of a 5k race and learn your way around town on foot!

Find Your Favorite Queso
The best queso in Bryan-College Station is a source of debate on campus, and we invite you to join the conversation! Fuego, Mad Taco, and Torchy’s are a few favorites and a great place to start.

Ice Skating at Spirit Ice Arena
Regardless of the weather outside, you can spend time on the ice at Spirit Ice Arena. The facility is open for public skating on a daily basis and has a monthly schedule with specific open skate times. Skate rentals are also available.

[Read more…] about Eight Things to Do on Gameday Weekend

I vividly remember two things about my son’s first semester with the Corps of Cadets, when he entered the hallowed Quad as a fish, Class of ’13, and moved into Dorm 2. (Dorms on the Quad, although named, commonly go by number.)

First, I didn’t know how tired an 18-year-old could be and still function. Second, I didn’t realize how emotionally and mentally strong he was. The first scared me a bit – I had a general sense that this level of exhaustion wasn’t healthy or conducive to academics. The second made me realize that he and his buddies (male and female) would be up to the task of leading in the 21^st century. I was humbled by the fortitude of these young men and women.

When his brother, Class of ’16, moved onto the Quad, in fall of 2012, it was like muscle memory for me remembering, “How can one student be this tired and this determined at the same time?” And when I looked around the Quad and saw thousands of other students with the same grit who were keeping their eyes focused on the future, keeping at bay the annoyances of the day (and there were many, many annoyances), I realized even more, this is truly the crucible of leadership. Leaders don’t learn their craft with languorous days and college escapades at night. Leadership takes determination and toughness.

[Read more…] about A Corps Parent’s Perspective

Every year, millions of individuals are diagnosed with the influenza virus. At Texas A&M University, Student Health Services (SHS) is taking strides to keep thousands of students protected from the flu. SHS sponsors an annual Flu Shot Campaign that provides a limited number of free flu vaccines to students. Last year, SHS distributed more than 5,000 free flu vaccines during a two-day campaign. This year, SHS is hosting its annual Flu Shot Campaign on October 4 and 5, 8am – 5pm and will be providing 4,000 free flu vaccines to students. The locations for this Campaign include: Emerging Technologies Building (ETB: First Floor Lobby), Evans Library (Main Entry near Starbucks), Memorial Student Center (MSC: Respect Lounge near Bookstore), and Wehner (First Floor Lobby). Once the free flu vaccines have been distributed, students have the option to file with their insurance or pay $28. The free flu vaccines are available to currently enrolled TAMU students, and faculty/staff are able to receive a flu vaccine for $28. For additional information regarding this Campaign, please contact Patient Services at (979) 458-8310.

[Read more…] about Student Health Services Flu Shot Campaign

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this month’s Aggie Family Webchat on student involvement! The full recording is available at the above link.

Several family members voiced concerns that their student applied for a Freshman Leadership Organization (FLO) and wasn’t accepted, was focused on studying during the application process, or otherwise didn’t have the chance to join a student organization in the fall. Fortunately, there are several opportunities for involvement beyond the beginning of the fall semester. Here are a few recommendations:

[Read more…] about September Webchat Recording

September has been recognized as National Campus Safety Awareness Month since 2008. In supporting this effort, Texas A&M is hosting Campus Safety Awareness Week this week, September 18-22. We have some information on the campus safety initiatives Texas A&M has developed for your student that are available this week and throughout the year.

A series of programs are being held this week to educate students, faculty, and staff on a variety of campus safety topics. The schedule below includes an overview of the week’s events. A detailed schedule is available here.

[Read more…] about Campus Safety Awareness Week at Texas A&M

Howdy!

I am so excited to be writing my first blog post for the Aggie Families blog! As an Associate Coordinator in New Student & Family Programs at Texas A&M I have the distinct pleasure of overseeing our parent and family initiatives. In the five years I have served in this role, I have seen our program grow tremendously. We have an increased presence on social media, an enhanced communication strategy, a Parent & Family Advisory Council,  and new Family Weekend events just to name a few. All of these are great resources to you throughout your student’s time at Texas A&M. New Student & Family Programs believes this is a collaborative relationship. You, your student, and the university can work together to ensure your student’s success. While we offer many great resources to you, one of the best resources you can utilize is the Aggie Family.

[Read more…] about Introduction to Aggie Family Programs

At some point during their first year, your student may let you know they’re feeling homesick. Whether they express it directly or give you more subtle indicators that they are missing home, use these tips to support your student through moments of homesickness during their first months on campus, directly from one of our Aggie Parent & Family Advisory Council members who has encountered this situation before:

1. Head it off at the pass.

Most students – even those who’ve been away from home for extended periods of time – get homesick in college. Do some planning: Find one or two groups or clubs you find interesting and join them. (Go to MSC Open House at the beginning of the semester or look online at OrgSearch.) Show up for the meetings. Even if you missed the Open House event, you can still sign up to join a club. Also consider joining a faith-based community. There are many to choose from in the College Station area and many within walking distance of campus.

2. Find an adult to connect with.

Again, it might be through a faith-based community or it might be an older student on campus who has a perspective on college life. Before you arrive on campus, see if you know anyone who has adult friends in College Station or Bryan who might be willing to have you over for dinner occasionally. Don’t be shy about reaching out. Most adults would be flattered to be asked to provide a home-away-from-home for a new college student.

[Read more…] about Ten Tips for Your Student Dealing With Homesickness

Texas A&M University is committed to providing an environment of academic study and employment free from harassment or discrimination to all segments of its community and will promptly address all complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and related retaliation, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. As an institution, we have the resources and options to support any student involved in a situation involving sexual misconduct.  And as Aggies, we must be willing to assist those who may be afraid to come forward or who may not know where to turn for help.

[Read more…] about Haven and Haven Plus – Required Training for All Students