EKU UPWARD BOUND SPRING SENIOR PARENT NEWSLETTER Issue 1 11

EKU Upward Bound Spring Senior Parent Newsletter

May 2016

UB SENIORS 2016 IN THIS ISSUE

As our time with our UB seniors draws to a close, the UB staff are reflecting on our adventures together. It’s amazing to think about how far our students have come since they started UB. Our seniors came to us as freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and have taken trips to Savannah, Chicago, Washington, DC, and New Orleans, most visiting these great cities for the first time. We have loved getting to know them and watching them grow.

Now, the time has come for our students to leave us. While we will miss them, we are excited to see them heading to college and beyond. We have high expectations for our students, and we can’t wait to see them do great things. We hope that like so many of our alumni, our students have formed lasting friendships in UB.

We want to thank you, the parents and guardians, for the privilege of serving your students, as well as for your continued support of UB and of your student’s educational goals. The road to college can be confusing, frustrating, and even scary at times, but with your support, your child can make his or her dreams come true.

Please know that the UB staff is still available to answer questions you and your student may have and to provide assistance to you.

Verification: What parents need to know Many of our students have been chosen for financial aid verification. Failing to complete verification in a timely manner can delay or prevent students’ financial aid for college.

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15 to Finish How many credit hours should college students take each semester to graduate in four years? This article explains!

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Letter from the Senior Advisor by Becca Morrison

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Every year the U.S. Department of Education selects a percentage of financial aid applicants for a review of their financial aid information. This process of review is known as verification.

Verification is the process of documenting the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It requires the completion of verification forms and providing supporting financial documentation. Students and parents may be requested to submit certain information regarding:

Adjusted Gross Income

Federal Income Tax Paid

Household Size

Number in College

Sources and Amounts of Untaxed

Income

Receipt of Federal Need-Based

Benefits

High School Completion

Identity

Other information as determined

by federal regulations

Your student will be notified by email if

he/she is selected for verification. The student cannot receive any federal financial aid funds until the verification process has been completed. Students should check their email regularly and provide any required information as soon as possible. Students should contact their college or university’s financial aid office with any questions, or ask Becca for help.

Source: http://louisville.edu/financialaid/verification and

http://www.moreheadstate.edu/verification/

QUESTIONS?

Senior Advisor Becca Morrison is always available to discuss college planning with students and their families.

CONTACT INFO:

becca.morrison@eku.edu

859-325-5579 cell

859-622-1080 office

EKU Upward Bound will host a graduation Ceremony on Sunday, June 26th, 2016 at 7:00 pm to celebrate our 2016 graduates. Our program will include a slideshow, recognition of graduates, and guest speaker Ronnie Nolan. We will also announce the winner of the Peoples Bank of Madison and Rockcastle Counties Upward Bound Scholarship.

We invite families and friends of our 2016 graduates to join us as we say goodbye to our graduates. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

EKU UPWARD BOUND 2016 GRADUATION CEREMONY

Sunday, June 26, 2016

7:00 pm

O’Donnell Auditorium

Charles D. Whitlock Building

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

Verification

EKU Upward Bound Graduation

Ceremony

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SENIOR FLASHBACK

Summer classes

Washington, DC

FAST FACTS

66% The number of all undergraduate students who receive financial aid. Source: http://visual.ly/who-gets-financial-aid

37% The number of incoming freshmen attending college within 50 miles of home. Source :http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/for-the-future-college-freshman.html

FYI

Students will need to complete the FAFSA for every year they are in college. For the 2016-2017 school year, the first date to file for the following school year will change to October 1st. You will provide information from your 2015 tax return.

What’s it all about?

15 to Finish is a campaign to encourage Kentucky college students to graduate on time by completing at least 15 credits a semester, or 30 a year.

Why is it important?

Saves money, since taking 15

credits is the same cost as taking 12

credits at most of Kentucky’s state

universities. That’s 3 credits for

FREE!

Avoids the cost of extra semesters

Maximizes KEES money: KEES

money only lasts eight semesters,

or within five years of high school

graduation.

Helps get them out into the

workforce sooner.

Increases the likelihood for good

grades and college completion.

How can I help?

Emphasize college requires more responsibility than high school.

College isn’t just four more years of high school. Instead, the student is suddenly in charge of making key decisions about coursework and commitment to study. Encourage selection of a major as soon as possible and to work with an advisor when registering for classes. Research shows that those students with undecided majors take less than 15 credits a semester, and often do not graduate on time.

Also prepare your student for managing their time efficiently. Research shows that poor time management directly impacts student success. Discuss ways to manage academic and personal time, as well as ways of documenting deadlines and setting reminders so that an assignment isn’t forgotten, or a special lab class overlooked.

Push for quick completion of those general education courses.

Even though your student may be excited about taking courses related to a degree major, encourage knocking out as many gen ed courses as possible during the first two years of college. Students who take 15 credits per semester and complete courses like English and math early are more likely to graduate on time.

Monitor your student’s progress.

Many institutions require permission of the student before allowing a parent to access academic information. Discuss with your student the possibility, so you can monitor academic progress and be a part of the solution when a problem arises that might prevent graduating on time.

Be a good listener.

Low course loads or poor academic performance could be caused by emotional problems, rather than course difficulty. Be patient and supportive during times of insecurity, homesickness, anger or disappointment. Also, don’t forget that every campus has a student support office that will be happy to help!

Suggest alternative terms.

If your student is having trouble keeping up or doesn’t pass a class, suggest summer courses or online alternatives that are self-paced. There are lots of ways to earn college credit outside the traditional term or classroom setting!

Know the resources available.

Retain new-student materials or bookmark webpages about tutoring services, advising offices or study skills services that might help your student when a problem arises.

Don’t forbid working, but do suggest fewer hours.

If it’s possible, discuss the possibility of cutting back on working fewer hours to allow for larger course loads and on-time graduation. Also, discuss the option of an on-campus job while taking 15 credits. The schedule may be more flexible and the commute time will be shorter than if working off campus.

Source: http://15tofinishky.org/parents/

15 to Finish

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Your student has been accepted to college. Check.

Final decision made. Check.

Deposit paid. Check

Chances are that both you and your student have been consumed with the college application, admission and decision process for the past several months or years – maybe even longer. Now that the decision and deposit are done, what do you do next?

A new kind of work begins now for your student – saying “no, thank you” to other colleges, placement tests, roommate/housing surveys, registering for classes, checking in with other incoming freshmen on Facebook, and probably filling out endless forms of one kind or another.

But this is all work for your student. And it is essential that your student complete these tasks, not you. How do you fit in? What is left for you to do?

Don’t worry; your work isn’t done yet. Actually, there are a few tasks for you to think about right now as a new college parent.

Celebrate with your student. Take some time to just enjoy the completion of this process before the work of actually starting college begins. Buy the decal for the car. Get him a sweatshirt or T-shirt – maybe get one for yourself.

Check important upcoming deadlines – housing deposit, health forms, tuition payments. Make sure your student knows these dates, too.

Check the college calendar for important dates and get them on your personal or family calendar. Know the dates for Summer Orientation, Move-in Day, Family Weekend.

Review your student’s financial aid package and update your FAFSA with any new information.

Read everything that the college sends to parents. Check to see whether there is a Parent Orientation scheduled. If so, make reservations and plan to attend. You’ll receive lots of important information there – and also have an opportunity to meet other parents and college personnel.

Begin to get acquainted with your student’s new academic and social home. Spend some time browsing the college website, the college catalog, any materials you’ve received. You’re not evaluating the school now; you’re trying to get to know the place and the culture.

Begin to think about what you can do for yourself. Focus on new plans for the fall, hobbies neglected, friends you’ll connect with. Acknowledge that this will be a transition for you as well as your student and begin to make some plans.

Relax and enjoy this moment. You and your student have earned it.

Source: https://www.collegeparentcentral.com/2014/04/your-student-is-going-to-college-what-do-you-do-now/

Your Student Is Going to College! What Do You Do Now? by Vicki Nelson

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Every soon-to-be college student experiences some level of fear and hesitancy about this next step.

It’s natural to feel college anxiety and be concerned about doing well in a new environment.

During the summer before my daughter went to college, I began noticing some red flags. At first, I ignored them, knowing she was simply nervous. But as the weeks rolled on and more and more began popping up, I began to get concerned. Had she changed her mind about college? Was she willing to turn her back on what had been her dream? Was this simply nerves or something more serious that might require therapeutic intervention?

You know, as their parent, when a child’s feelings are natural anxiety or something deeper. Initiate a conversation without judgement or condemnation. Discuss what your student is feeling and try to isolate the problem. Together, you should be able to find a solutions that will help ease the transition to college.

Thankfully, my daughter and I were able to get to the root of her anxiety and we were able to ease her concerns.

So what are the red flags that signal your student isn’t looking forward to college?

1. A drastic change in mood or increased anxiety.

The first, and most obvious, red flag is a drastic change in mood. This may be exhibited in any number of ways: overeating, not eating, crying, becoming belligerent or angry, using alcohol or drugs, or avoiding contact with family or friends. If you notice a change in behavior, it may be signaling anxiety related to the future.

2. Avoiding the topic of college.

If your child refuses to discuss college, any aspect of college, or changes the subject when you try to discuss college, this may be another red flag signaling distress about the thought of going to college in the fall. By ignoring the topic and avoiding the subject,

kids find a way to distance themselves from the anxieties they are feeling.

3. Second-guessing their college choice.

All students have a small amount of buyer’s remorse. It’s that overwhelming feeling that perhaps they choose the wrong college or made the wrong decision. It’s that feeling that perhaps they don’t want to leave home after all because of their friends, their boyfriend or girlfriend, or they are terrified to be on their own.

4. Dragging their feet about preparation.

If your college-bound teen is putting off preparation for the upcoming move to college this could be another red flag. Most prospective students are excited to dorm shop, connect with roommates and attend freshman orientation. If any of these activities are being pushed aside by your student, you can bet they are feeling the stress and the pressure of moving forward.

5. Discussing alternatives to college.

This is a huge red flag. If you begin to hear rumblings of a gap year, staying at home and working, traveling, or any other activity other than college it’s time to sit up and take notice. As with any of the red flags, you should listen and try to pinpoint what is going on in the teenage brain. After talking it over, decide what’s normal anxiety or if you need to get serious about alternatives to college.

6. Talking about transferring after the first semester.

All students are anxious about whether or not they will fit in or be able to handle the rigors of college academics; but if the conversation moves toward transferring, you should be concerned. This means they will be entering college expecting a negative outcome. This attitude will affect how they adjust emotionally, socially and academically. Entering with a positive attitude is half the battle to becoming a well-adjusted college student.

https://www.teenlife.com/blogs/watch-these-6-red-flags-summer-college

SENIOR FLASHBACK

Fort Boonesboro

Galaxy Bowling

Dress Like a TA Day

Last Saturday Academy

Watch for These 6 Red Flags the Summer Before College by Suzanne Shaffer

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There are lots of things no one ever tells you about becoming a new parent. And there also are lots of things no one ever tells you about becoming a parent of a college freshman. For me, it was how much I’d cry. I cried in the shower so no one would see. I cried so much and for so many days that I was sure someone at work would comment on the telltale puffiness around my eyes.

Besides the depth of emotion that goes along with the process, here are 8 things every parent with a kid starting college should know, words of wisdom gathered from Huff/Post50’s Facebook followers who’ve been there.

1. Try not to call your child more than once a week — and let them initiate the call.

“Don’t contact your kids too often. It’s tempting to, especially because we miss them and because we know we can be helpful by reminding them to do something we know they may forget. But it’s more important to show we have faith in our children’s ability to live independently. It’s not a confidence booster to a young adult to say, in effect, ‘here, let me help you, I can do it better and more easily.’ Plus if your kids believe you’re miserable without them it might make them feel guilty. They really don’t need to be carrying that around as they embark on their new lives.” — Linda F.

2. The quality of the relationship you had with your child before heading off to college will stay intact.

“The percentage of time devoted to [the relationship] will shift. Let your child take the lead on how often they want to communicate with you. Getting those text messages out of the blue from them sharing an achievement or just to say hi are priceless and they will happen. In fact, when I least expected it, last night my son sent me a message thanking me for helping him pack and getting him ready for move-in day yesterday! Finally, pat yourself on the back because you are a very big part of them

successfully getting to this phase of life.” — Kerry M.

3. Your kid’s departure will not only be hard on you, but it also will be hard on their siblings.

“Having a child go off to college changes the whole family dynamic. Not only has it impacted me, but it’s impacted my husband and my other son and daughter. My three kids have always been thick as thieves and so no doubt they ‘feel’ the empty seat at the dinner table just as much as I do. To compensate, I’ve encouraged them to communicate regularly with their older brother and to join us for an upcoming ‘parents weekend’ so they can see their sibling’s new environment for themselves.” — Shelley E.

4. When you drop him or her off, bring baked goods. When you visit, bring baked goods.

“I baked nine dozen cookies and lined his dorm room window ledge with them, and he made a ton of friends really quickly. Also, it’s OK to text them from the parking lot as you’re leaving. They will not be surprised. Bookmark the school online newspaper, it’ll help you know what’s going on (especially if your kids are far away like mine).“ — Karen B.

5. Much as you miss them, having them back for the first set of holidays will be difficult.

“You’ll need to think about which ‘pre-college’ rules are important enough to keep — for instance, basic courtesy to others and cleaning up after yourself — and which are no longer hills you need to die on (curfews, keeping tabs on their every move).” — Deb R.

6. Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself.

“Plan something nice for yourself the days or the weekend after you drop them off — a massage, a ladies brunch, a day trip — to get your mind off your kid leaving and to treat yourself for a job well done in getting them there.” — Liz M.

7. Remember, you may not be getting report cards like you used to.

“In college, kids are considered adults and so colleges do not have to share report cards with parents. They will only share them with the student. (Check out the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act if you don’t believe me.) Talk this over with your child before they start college. They can, of course, share this information with you. Talk about what you expect as a parent, especially a parent who’s paying for everything. Also, make sure to get the phone numbers of your child’s roommates — just in case.” — Donna L.

8. The hole in your heart DOES heal. And before you know it, they’ll be home for a break.

“Just let them know you trust them to make good choices and will love them no matter what.” — Theresa Y.

Remember, you raised your kids as best you can. And besides, it will only be 15 weeks until winter break.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/7-things-to-know-if-you-have-a-kid-starting-college_us_55db67dfe4b0a40aa3abb245?

Eastern Kentucky University Upward Bound is funded through a TRiO grant

from the United States Department of Education totaling $506,785.

8 Things To Remember If You Have A Kid Starting College by Shelley Emling

Shelley Emling

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“Mom, I Want to Come Home!” by Dr. Brian Harke, Dean of Students, University of Southern California

For many college freshmen, this past week was the beginning of a new adventure. Freshmen Welcome Weeks are in full swing and new students are sizing each other up and acclimating to their new surroundings. It is an exciting time, but it’s also stressful. Some students will transition quickly while others might find themselves wandering along a path that seems unfamiliar and strange. Whether the transition into their first term is smooth or stress filled, many students longing for simpler days will find themselves making “the call” to their families: “I want to come home”. Yes, it’s the call of the homesick student. Homesickness is an ongoing issue that occurs throughout a student’s college career. It’s a result of more than just moving away from family. It is often the result of students being over confident in their abilities, being under-prepared to manage change, or holding unrealistic expectations about college. These are the reasons why 34% of all new college students will drop out in the first year. For years I have observed the cycle of homesickness and how it affects new college students. There are some predictable periods when the panicked calls to family members tend to be made. Homesickness is most commonly thought of as something that happens within the first week or two of college, and it does for many students. What often comes as a surprise to families is when the homesick calls come weeks or sometimes months into the first year. Each Fall I have noted that beyond the expected first couple of weeks, many students start feeling homesick around the third to sixth week of the first term. During this period, the excitement and newness of the initial college experience dies down. A sense of normalcy sets in and students start suffering from what I call the post move-in syndrome. Students start to be overwhelmed as the academic workload increases, time management becomes an issue, the previous uniqueness of a roommate is now annoying, and a functioning support system is still in its infancy. During this period many students hit the “reality wall”. Some of their expectations of college life aren’t what they thought and they start questioning if they chose the right college, or if they really want to be in college at all. Students show signs of frustration and depression and start wishing they could go home... back to the way things were. The period around midterm grades is also a common time when students start questioning college and start longing for home. Many students arrive on campus with unrealistic expectations about their academic abilities. Students enter college expecting to receive similar grades to those they received in high school. Parents also expect to see similar grades. When mid-term grades come out and they are not what was expected, students are crushed. For some, dealing with the blow to their ego leaves them questioning their self-worth and abilities. Some students suffer in silence while others make the call home. Often the call starts off with, “I don’t like the school, it’s not for me. I’m thinking about leaving.” So, how can parents help students successfully manage these periods of homesickness? These periods of uncertainty and distress? What I list below are some suggestions of what I know has helped parents in the past. The most important thing I can share with you is that you can’t fix it for your student. They are on a journey and you are along for the ride. You can support them, but in order for them to find calmer waters, they must navigate the rapids themselves. Suggestions: It’s Normal: Keep in mind that transition stress is a normal part of college life. I believe that if homesickness is discussed prior to the student leaving for college, some of its power will be taken away and it will be less stressful for the student. Students should be supported and reminded that this is normal and “this, too, shall pass”. Get involved: The sense of having less control and familiarity with their new environment is often what leads to feelings of homesickness for many students. Parents should ask their student how they think they could make things better (without coming home). Ask how their friends are coping with the adjustment. Suggest that they look for clubs and organizations to join. Suggest that they get off campus to explore the community. Maybe volunteer within the community. Community is important. The more they feel part of the college community, the quicker they will embrace their new environment. Note: Research shows that if students feel connected to the college community they are more likely to persist and graduate. Important: Facebook does not equal community. Spending hours on Facebook with old friends isn’t going to help them build the new relationships they need to succeed. Develop a communication plan: Too often, parents want to be in constant communication with their student. They inundate them with calls, texts, and emails to check up on them. This sends mixed messages to students and creates confusion during their transition. Set up a plan on when you’ll call your students and how often you expect to hear from them. Give them some control and don’t make them feel guilty if they decide they don’t want to call you every day. I recommend that if parents and students find themselves needing to be in contact with each other more than once a day, it is a good idea to set some new guidelines about communication.

Continued on page 8

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Don’t try to Fix-it: When a new college student hits a bump in the road and begins to panic, their first call or text message is usually to their parents. And for many parents the first instinct is to “fix it.” Acting out of the K-12 habit, parents start making calls to the college administrators, resident advisors, and even roommates. Break that habit. Instead, consider the following: • For 24 hours, fight the urge to react and fix it. • Listen to your student and then work with them to take the drama out of the situation. Often the problem isn’t as big as it first appears. • Ask the student how they think they should solve the problem. • Ask what resources they’ve checked into at the college which might help them. • Suggest that they put together a plan of action on their own. • Let them work on the issue for 24 hours and then see how things are going. In my experience, the situation will usually work itself out, or the student will realize that they can deal with it on their own. As a result, parents have empowered their student to embrace their new independence. With that said, if the child is at risk of harm, act fast and find them the help they need. You should always have a list of emergency contacts at the college including campus security, which is reachable 24/7. Lighten up: The pressure on college students in enormous. Hold your students accountable for their academic progress, but cut them a break if they don’t get perfect grades. College is harder than any academic environment they have been in. You can expect some slippage in grades, especially during their first year. They are probably already beating themselves up over their grades; so don’t make them feel worse about themselves. If you sense that they are slacking off and spending too much time partying, maybe it’s time to have an adult conversation with them about where they will be spending their next semester if things don’t improve. If you find yourself in this position, work with your student to gather all the facts of what isn’t working and then have him/her put together a plan for the next term. If it looks realistic, hold them accountable to the plan and see if they meet their goals. Be a good listener: Often, all students really want is a trusted listener to whom they can vent. Let them complain and be sympathetic. Listen and understand, but don’t engage or enrage. Sometimes all they need to hear is “I love you”, “everything is going to be alright”, and “you can do this.”

EKU Upward

Bound Spring Senior Parent

Newsletter

Congratulations, 2016 graduates! We are so proud of you!

-EKU UB staff