PARENT ADVICE
Returning home for a break is another transition event in the lives of all family members. Your student is used to living independently at college and expects to continue that lifestyle at home. Family members need to understand, be patient, and respect that choice and students need to know there are responsibilities that they may have as well. It is important to note that Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22 are remote/online class, so your student may need to attend class or have an assignment due. Communication and compromise are essential ingredients to the family home re-entry process. Have a family conversation before the break period to discuss reasonable expectations for the visit. Discuss what everyone in the family wants to do during the break period and develop a flexible schedule that accommodates everyone’s desires as much as possible. That being said, leave time blocks that are discretionary and unplanned to allow for elasticity and spontaneity. Accept that your college student may choose to spend their time visiting friends, sleeping, or bingeing on Netflix. It is their break but helps them understand that the family needs some of their time as well. Don’t schedule medical appointments, family vacations, or other events without first consulting with your student to ensure they are on board with those arrangements.
As your student embarks on their journey home see the University of Miami’s Parking and Transportation Website for transportation resources.
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Greetings, Micah Johnson here with Empower Me First. I know there is a strong sense of pride and accomplishment as your student attends The U.
During Family Weekend I was asked, “What Can I Do as a Parent”? Well, here are a few key tips:
 Acknowledge that college is hard. Understanding theacademic rigor of the institution will help you get creative in helping reduce or eliminate pressure from the family so your student can stay on track.- Encourage your student to find a mentor on campus. Our office has an amazing mentorship program that matches students with faculty and staff mentors.
- Don’t let them feel guilty about leaving family to pursue their goals. Continue to root them on and understand this is part of the process. “I’m proud of you,” goes a long way.
- Outside the classroom experiences matter…From service to student leadership. These experiences provide a competitive edge for the career ahead.
- Expect Change…Change is good…Just Check-In.
- Send Care Packages…They need it even if they don’t tell you.
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By Dr. Rebecca Schwartz, Staff Psychologist at UMCC
Your young adults may have left the nest but there is no doubt they still need you, perhaps more than ever. Although you may not be able to protect your children from life’s harsh realities, you can absolutely continue to provide the support we know is key to resilience and stress management. Helping your young adults identify what is in their control can empower them to take a more active role in their lives. You can reinforce this approach by asking them the following questions when discussing their concern, “what is in your control right now? And what can you do about it?” Even though your children are adults, they are still affected by your behavior. When parenting your young adult, try to model focusing on what is in your control.
If your student needs additional support, please encourage them to reach out to the Counseling Center at: https://counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu/.
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We have reached November and campus is buzzing as it prepares for one of the best times of the year—Homecoming! Pretty soon students, alumni, and members of the community from all over the world will be gathered on campus to celebrate the spirit of the U.
This month we also celebrate our first-generation students. As a first-generation student myself, I take the time this month to reflect on how far I’ve come in my college career and to thank my family for their unconditional support. Whether it be sending a quick text telling them how my day went, or inviting them to take an occasional stroll on campus, involving my family throughout my college experience has been the most rewarding. Through resources on campus like Empower Me First, through the Office of Academic Enhancement, students like myself can connect with other first-gen ‘Canes and receive special mentoring throughout our time at the U. Having someone who can relate to my experience is very valuable, especially as we approach stressful finals and projects.
Tatiana Alvarado is a senior majoring in Business Law and Political Science. She is a commuter student from Miami, FL. On-campus she serves as Student Government Treasurer and as an active member of Hurricane Productions, the Homecoming Executive committee, the Association of Commuter Students and as a Teaching Assistant for Business Technology.
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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
For those of you able to join us at Family Weekend, it was wonderful to have you here with us and your students. Our students are now celebrating homecoming, participating in a variety of events with their student organizations. Our week of events will conclude with many alumni, including some of you, visiting and attending the football game against Florida State. This is an exciting time for all of us as we remember where we have come from as an institution how much we still will achieve. This same philosophy is particularly pertinent for our students, whether they are in their first semester or wrapping up their last.
As we enter November, I cannot help but think about how quickly we will approach the end of the semester. This time is the last bit to focus on preparation for exams, projects, and papers. The closer to finals, the less time there is to be intentional with preparedness. I encourage you to talk to your student about their plan for finals, especially if this is their first time. There are a variety of resources they can take advantage of now.
This month also reminds me of gratitude. I am thankful to you, the family members, who manage the highest of highs and lowest of lows that may occur throughout a student’s pursuit of their degree. The challenges and successes help our students to learn skills, build resilience, and create a strong foundation to be impactful members of society. If you and your family do celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you a peaceful holiday. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to reach out.
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RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
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Fall 2022 Commencement - If your student is graduating in December 2022, you are encouraged to join the Commencement listserv. This will allow you to receive information sent to graduates, including deadlines, and the most up to date information for Commencement.
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PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY
Collette Thomas, a biomedical engineering major, spent the summer working at Novartis, which helped her learn the details of running clinical trials.
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ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring ballet score was an experiment in tonality, rhythm, stress, and dissonance in the 20th century. And now, more than one hundred years later, the Russian's masterful orchestral work has been resurrected. Giving it new life are Frost School of Music alumnas Ksenija Komljenović and Liana Pailodze Harron. The soul sisters have created a group called Vesna Duo, whose new recording of The Rite of Spring, played on nothing but piano and marimba, is up for a GRAMMY® nomination consideration in the category of Best Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance.
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HEALTH AND MEDICINE
Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, led a group of researchers that presented to Cancer Moonshot initiative officials, as well as representatives from other federal agencies, about their approach to lowering cancer rates.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Advancing wireless brain-machine-interface technologies and biomedical therapies.
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ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT
In an initiative that City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez said curates philanthropy in a high impact way, the University of Miami is one of four local academic partners to offer STEM scholarships beginning this academic year.
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GRANTS AND FUNDING
A NSF-funded project will focus on three sites—Miami, Belize, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—using nature-based solutions such as coral reef and mangrove restoration in combination with engineering practices to mitigate sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding.
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FACULTY AND STAFF
Melissa Triana, who is studying global health and society, outlines how she diversified her skill set by interning with Action for Mothers and Children, a nonprofit group in Kosovo.
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