College is a time for your student to gain independence. Learning skills for managing money can help. By keeping some basics in mind, your student can get off to a good start, which can carry them through college, and set them on the right financial path as they graduate.
Encourage your student to explore the following tips. And while there's no bad time to apply these tips, they might best be done proactively, in an effort to set a positive course and prevent problems.
The stressful finals period is coming up, and we asked students to share how their families support them during finals. Their ideas might surprise you.
“I love it when my mom sends me care packages with my favorite snacks, self-care items like socks and face masks, and pictures of my cats! I also like it when my family waits to call me until they know that my exams are through.”— Kaitlyn, Sophomore, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Coldwater, MI
Thanksgiving break is around the corner, and winter break is not far away! Here are a few tips to help you and your student have happy and safe breaks.
If your student will be traveling for Thanksgiving or winter break, please remind them to do the following:
Leave the heat on at a level that will prevent pipes from freezing and bursting (55° or above) and close any open windows. Taking these steps will help protect possessions and avoid a nasty clean-up when students return from the break.
Mark your calendar: Giving Blueday is December 3, 2019. Your gift — of any size — will make a difference.
Giving Blueday is one day when the entire U-M community, from students and parents to alumni and fans, can participate in Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving following Thanksgiving weekend. See how in this Giving Blueday video.
College can be an opportune time to build life-long skills for interacting with others. Students may find they need additional skills to engage, sustain and when necessary, transition relationships with:
When your U-M student returns from the holiday break in January, the Michigan Union will soon be open to greet them. Closed since April 2018 for renovations, the refreshed and renewed central gathering place will include new amenities as well as a return of favorite spaces.
It may seem early to think about buying books for the winter semester, but thanks to the partnership between the University of Michigan and Barnes & Noble College, students are able to efficiently purchase books via an online portal. The portal includes a link to required and recommended course materials directly from the university’s class registration site.
Nothing sends a warm hug better than an M Gift Package that says “Take a break from your hard work."
You can send that hug to your student via two gift packages this finals season -- It’s Show Time and Study Break. These packages deliver snacks, drinks, U-M merchandise, and the message that you’re thinking of them.
As the Thanksgiving holiday comes near, I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you what I am very thankful for... I’m thankful for you, and the ability to have served your family through your students’ university experience. I have cherished, over these past 20 years, being able to support U-M students as they grow into their best selves.
If your student has decided to live off-campus, they may still want to eat in the campus dining halls, regularly or occasionally. Several meal plans are available that provide delicious food and diverse choices. All without your student having to shop, cook and clean up!
Many students take advantage of campus food options, either through a meal plan for the dining halls or through cafés and markets on campus.
