The jump from living at home to living in the residence halls is a big one, and Housing staff are there to help with the transition. Just as big though is the leap from on-campus to off -- and the good news is that Student Life staff are also there for support.
It takes courage and determination to break new ground and try new things...and that includes being the first in one's family to attend and/or graduate from college.
As the parent of a first-generation student, you know that your child will face unique challenges. The University of Michigan wants to help make their college experience a rewarding and fulfilling one, so we're helping first-gen students find their way and make a home away from home at U-M.
Resources
Whether your first loved one has left for Ann Arbor or you know a pack of current Wolverines, we recognize that navigating changes can be hard.
The University of Michigan Division of Student Life designed our Family Matters Newsletter to help you feel more connected to your Wolverine and give you a glimpse of campus life.
Current research suggests that parents can help reduce students' high-risk drinking. Evidence-based strategies to positively influence students' use of alcohol include:
Talking together about drinking
"I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list." – Susan Sontag
Your student may have already determined their ideal travel experience. Perhaps it includes historical significance, language immersion, famous sites, academic credit, or overall, a chance to see the world. The benefits of student travel are countless. The practical question is, how will your student fund their travels?
Student Life at the University of Michigan is sending you and your family best wishes for the holidays! We hope you and your students will take this opportunity to relax, reconnect, rejuvenate and enjoy the seasonal break.
Winter classes resume Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Until that time - have a wonderful break!
It gets dark early in Ann Arbor this time of year, and U-M offers several night-time transportation options which are useful to students, especially during the winter months.
SafeRide is a free service that transports students, faculty, and staff to their residence or vehicle within a one-mile radius of campus. Riders may use this servce once per evening and must present a valid U-M ID (Mcard). During Fall and Winter terms, this service is available daily from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
By getting involved on campus, students can:
U-M truly has something for everyone, but with 1,400+ student organizations and countless other opportunities, students can feel overwhelmed - where does one begin?
If your student is unsure where to start, you might suggest that they explore:
If your student eats in dining halls, you may wonder, how's the food, and can your student get what they need and want?
It's nice to know that U-M ranks in the top 25 best dining halls in the nation, according to BestColleges.com. But what does that mean for your student?
It means that every day, your student can choose from a wide variety of tasty, nutritious, appealing and culturally relevant foods. (And MDining serves more than 25,000 meals every day!)
The University of Michigan is well equipped to help your student stay safe. In fact, staff in the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) work day and night to keep students and the broader community safe, and to foster the campus' friendly feel.
