Success is a Balancing Act

How do you think about success?  Many people think of success as an achievable state, or at least an aspiration. For college students and their parents, success often means good grades. But what appears to be success in college, or feels like success, is actually a balancing act.

Sometimes students do it with grace and ease, making small adjustments along the way. They may notice that their energy wanes mid-morning if they don’t eat breakfast, so they get up 15 minutes earlier to eat, then they can be more attentive in class. Just a tiny shift, but it can pay off.

Our Time with Your Student

It may be hard to believe that your student is nearly a month into the new school year. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that your student was moving into their new residence hall, house or apartment? With classes now in full swing and student groups holding their first meetings of the year, life for your student is thrilling—and busier than ever.

Tips | Thanksgiving Break 2018

Whether students are leaving Ann Arbor during the Thanksgiving recess or staying local, Student Life offers information that may be helpful to you and your student.

For students traveling home for the holiday:

Lock up

The majority of all thefts happen through unlocked doors and windows. Before your student leaves for the long weekend, remind them to:

Supporting Your Student During Finals

Learning to manage a heavy academic workload while focusing on health and well-being as final exams loom can be a challenging part of the college experience. Parents and family members will often be the first people students turn to when they want to talk through stress this time of year. The best thing you can do is make yourself available to listen and be a source of comfort.

What are some ways to support your student during finals? We asked current undergraduates for suggestions: 

Career Planning Begins in Year One

You may be wondering, “What can I do to ensure that my student maximizes their time at Michigan?” U-M has a wealth of resources and experiences to prepare students for life after graduation. However, the interests of the student are the best drivers for determining the resources to tap. A bit of planning, serendipity, curiosity and initiative will help guide your student on a rewarding journey.

For freshmen

The first year (and often into the second) is a time of exploration.

Recreational Sports Meets Students' Needs

Recreational Sports got a facelift. And students like yours were the catalyst.

Over the past several years, the University of Michigan’s Recreational Sports facilities have demonstrated a committment to balancing the university’s recreational sports offerings with the needs of its campus populations. Student feedback through the student organization Building a Better Michigan and the Advisory Committee of Recreational Sports, along with other feedback sessions, have been integral in the decision-making process.

Your Family Matters

Wherever U-M students spend the Thanksgiving break, they will be looking to decompress and relax before taking finals in December. Remind them that it’s healthy to unplug. We hope you’ll encourage students to be kind to themselves, connect with family and friends and prepare for any questions that may come their way. The time is always now for practicing self-care and well-being.

 

Traveling the Globe with MDining

Your student’s education doesn’t only happen in the classroom or in front of textbooks. At the University of Michigan, educational activities look like a comprehensive immersion into a variety of cuisines and cultural experiences. 

Top-rated Michigan Dining has initiatied a conversation around healthy, sustainable dining options and has expanded choices to include international, ethnic and cultural foods designed to provide a well-rounded food education for all students.