ResFest 2019

On Friday, May 10 from 3:00pm until 6:00pm, the Residence Hall and Apartment Association (RHAA) is hosting ResFest 2019 in Phoenix Park located outside of the University Union. ResFest is an end of the year event held right before finals to give students an opportunity to celebrate an amazing year with their campus friends. This year the theme is Under the Sea, so many of the activities and food will follow suit. RHAA will also host their end of the year Bingo (a UWGB favorite) during ResFest with the opportunity for students to win some fabulous prizes.

55957834_384004759118538_733440097575239680_nWe are excited to announce that, ResFest will include a session of goat yoga (yes, that’s a real thing), an inflatable obstacle course, bubble soccer, henna, balloon art, a caricature artist and a host of other activities. Of course the question on every student’s mind is: what about food? ResFest will have a variety of snack options including corndogs, a tater tot bar, sno-cones, cotton candy, and assorted beverages, just to name a few things. The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) has partnered with RHAA to sponsor some delicious ice cream treats too.

The best part is that all of these activities, snacks, and prizes are FREE! That’s right! If your student is looking for something fun to do to celebrate their accomplishments and have a great time unwinding with friends before the stress of final exams, encourage them to be in Phoenix Park on Friday, May 10 at 3:00pm. They can come for 20 minutes or stay the entire time. We just want to make sure that everyone takes advantage of this one last fun event before everyone departs for the summer!

 

Making the Most of your College Experience

Living on campus has many benefits that enrich the university experience and impacts student lives.  Students who live on campus tend to be more involved in campus activities, earn better grades, and are more likely to graduate than their peers who live off campus.  Students also report that living on campus provides an opportunity to meet new friends or to live near friends, seek help with coursework, and living close by campus classroom buildings.

Some strategies you can discuss with your student to enhance their success are described in the remainder of this article.

Getting Involved In Campus Life

There are many on-campus events and activities for your student.  Resident Assistants (RAs) plan activities in each building and promote student participation in larger campus events. Participation helps promote a sense of belonging, will help your student meet other students, and learn new things.  Students who are involved in campus life report being more satisfied with their college experience.  Ask your student if they are attending any events and activities.

Help Your Students Develop a Budget
For many students, this may be a “first”. Discuss developing a budget with your student and, if possible, assist them in doing so. Expenses such as food, supplemental educational materials, personal items, entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses were at the top of our list.

Realize That Sending a Student to College Is An Adjustment for Families
All of the parents we interviewed mentioned this adjustment and many of us under-estimated the sense of “loss” they feel when sending a student to college for the first time. On the positive side, this is a wonderful growth experience for parents and students.

Discuss How Often You Will Talk With Your Student & How You Will Stay In Touch
One of our “parents” suggested using FaceTime or Skype to communicate because you can notice non-verbal as well as verbal cues to how your student is doing. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from your student as often as you would like. This is most likely a good sign that they are adjusting to college, meeting friends, and getting involved in campus life. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to reach out to your student if you haven’t heard from them in a while.

Anticipate What Coming Back Home Will Be Like For Your Student
Things may not feel the same for your student when they come home. Friends may change. Expectations of who their friends are may change, therefore meeting new friends at college is very important. Several of our parents also recommended leaving their bedroom as is, so they have a comfortable and familiar place to return home. You may want to discuss which “house rules” apply now that your student is a young adult.

Ask About Roommates
Having a roommate is most often one of the best and most positive experiences a student can have while away at college. For some students it can also a challengingIMG_8295 experience. Ask your student about their roommate relationships. Offer tips and advice about adjusting to a new roommate.

Encourage Your Student To Use Campus Resources
There are many offices and people who are here to help students. Encourage your student to use campus resource such as the Dean of Students Office, Counseling and Health, Academic Advising, and the Office of Residence Life, just to name a few. Contact information can be found on the University’s web site using the directory.

Encourage Your Students To Use Faculty Office Hours
Faculty have scheduled office hours which are available for student visits and questions about assignments, course content, and just establishing a positive relationship with faculty and instructors.

We Are Here To Help!
You may contact the Office of Residence Life, (920) 465-2040, housing@uwgb.edu  with questions.  Although we are not able to share private information, a question you can ask is “If a student is in need of help regarding a particular issue, what would you recommend they do?