'Canes Central

Support Your Student!

You may be wondering how you can support your student as they prepare to finish the semester strong. Although many students experience a heightened sense of stress as finals approach, there are many things you can do to help!

Remind your student of how hard they’ve worked and how proud of them you are. Encourage them to create a distraction-free designated study space where they can be productive. Send them a care package with healthy snacks and a note reminding them to stay active and get plenty of sleep so they can stay mentally focused and healthy.

Study schedules can help students break up studying into more manageable parts. Your student can schedule an appointment with a Learning Specialist who can help them prioritize their studying and teach them tips on how to prepare for finals.

For help with the content material of their courses, encourage students to book a tutoring session with one of our Camner Center Peer Tutors. 

Best of luck to all your students and remember we’re here to help! 

3 Tips of Enrollment and Billing Success

Here are 3 tips from the ’Canes Central team to help your continuing students prepare for Spring 2024 and beyond: 

1. Swap vs. Waitlist: Because enrollment can affect billing and financial aid, its highly recommended students enroll in a full schedule of courses that will fulfill their degree requirements and then use the Swap feature to adjust their schedules as needed. | Learn more

2. Spring Billing Dates: Although subject to change, the Spring 2024 bill is slated to be released on Monday, December 11, 2023, and to be due on Thursday, January 11, 2024. A notice will be sent to students and verified proxies via email when it’s ready. | Click here to prepare

FAFSA Priority Deadline for Next Year: The priority deadline for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is February 1, 2024, and all you need are your 2022 taxes to submit. | Understand the importance of this deadline and submit today

- Betsy Lopez, 'Canes Central

Semester Ending

As the semester comes to a close, you may be looking for the best way to look after your child in this stressful time. Final exams are a great time to show your students some extra encouragement and offer the support they need to maintain every dimension of their health and well-being.

Here are a few ideas to help support your student, and promote a happy and healthy final exam season:

• Stop the spread. Stress can inhibit immune system function, and the last thing your student needs during exam season is to be struck with a preventable illness. If they haven’t already, encourage your student to visit Student Health to get their flu shot.
• Show your encouragement. A care package with healthy brain food like nuts or dried fruit can help your student feel appreciated and cared for as they encounter final exams.
• Be an active listener. Sometimes, your student may need an escape from studying and planning. A conversation about leisurely topics such as their winter break plans could make a big difference.
• Don’t overdo it. Check in, but not too often. Keep in mind that your child is busy and might not have time to respond right away.

Finally, remind your student that there are plenty of support resources here on campus, especially during finals season. Encourage your them to take advantage of things like the Counselling Center or the Camner Center for Academic Resources, and remind them that the University is also here to support them.

Aidan Wells is a Health Educator with the Department of Wellness and Recreation. Her goal is to promote a healthier campus community by educating students on the health topics most important to them, and connecting them with well-being resources on campus.

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement

A Note from the VPSA

Our students have put in a great deal of hard work and dedication to reach this point in the semester. It is important that they lean on their resiliency and internal motivations to cross the finish line of the semester. As a parent, you can encourage them to get ahead on their finals preparation as well as be intentional with their time management. As a reminder, there are always a plethora of resources available to our students throughout finals. Many can be found on our well-being website, including intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being resources. All students are invited to stop by the variety of study break activities, such as (de)stress fest, that will occur on December 6 across campus.

For the parents and family members of a December graduate, I am particularly excited to celebrate their accomplishments with you on Thursday, December 14 at Commencement. Completing their degree is a significant milestone in your student’s life. We are so grateful for the opportunity to support them as they go on to establish their future careers.

Thank you for your consistent partnership. I wish you and your family a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season and new year. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to reach out.

University of Miami Alumni Association

A Note from the UMAA

Kudos to you and your students on the end of a successful fall semester. For those families with students who graduate this fall semester, congratulations and welcome to the UM Alumni Association!

Over the break, remind your students that there is a network of ’Canes that they can connect with in their hometown.  Students and families are always welcome to attend a local event hosted by one of our 30+ Regional 'Canes Communities.

Student Note

As football season winds down, and finals season winds up, our cozy 'Canes may opt to attend basketball games instead of other events. The walk to the Watsco Center is very convenient for students and offers a relief from assignments and classes.

We hope our 'Canes Families take time to relax from the semester, spend time together, and return prepared to finish out the semester. Places such as the Stacks, Second Floor University Center, and the Smoothie King gliders might be the study spot of choice for this fall. After enjoying the holidays, students may find themselves engaging in community more intentionally in order to relax. Don’t be afraid to attend events on-campus during this time, they may provide resources or an activity you may enjoy. Have a good break, 'Canes!

Eliza Lee is a junior majoring in Political Science and Religious Studies with a Pre-Law track. She is a commuter student from Miami, FL. On campus she serves as a Commuter Assistant and Copywriter for Student Government. Additionally, she shares her time and talents as a Staff Writer with The Miami Hurricane.