Reflect on the Semester
As your student returns home for the winter break, and after they have had some time to take a breath and relax, help them reflect on their semester. What were some of their wins and losses? What can they change to have a better experience and more success? This is also a good time for you to check in on their mental health, make sure they know the early signs of mental health problems, and what to do if they find themselves experiencing those things. Make sure they know what campus resources they have access to as well as community resources. It can be hard to talk about mental health but having these difficult conversations can help protect them when they need it the most.
The goal is to learn how your student is adjusting to college life, let your student talk openly, and be there for them if they need you. This article gives some great insight on how to strengthen your relationship with your student including these tips:
- Give space – and mean it.
- Ask the important questions.
- Invite, don’t demand.
- Create the home base they want to come back to.
Here are some conversation starters:
- Are you happy?
- What was your favorite and least favorite part of learning this semester?
- Which academic supports did you use this semester?
- Tell me about your mental health this semester.
- Have you made any close friends?
- Is there anything on your mind you’d like to talk about?
- How's your bank account holding up?
Thank you for supporting your student through this semester. I really appreciate your help as we make sure they find the right resources they need to succeed. As always, please let me know if you have questions or concerns. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
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Is Your Student Staying In Cedar Over Winter Break?
You can still catch up and have important conversations over the phone or video calls. If your student is looking for things to keep them busy, they can consider some of these things to do in the Southern Utah area.
- Plan a ski or snowboard day
- Check out the city lights and get a treat from the local shops
- Go sledding or tubing
- Dive into the art scene (Check out the murals downtown and SUMA)
- See the holiday lights
- Go to a movie
- Take a hike in Zion or Snow Canyon where it's a little warmer
- Make a photobook with highlights of the last year
- Re-decorate your room
- Volunteer in the community
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Spring Orientation
We are excited to welcome our incoming students and their parents and families! Please come see us at our parent and family check-in on Friday, January 7th.
Parent & Family Orientation
8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Student Center Living Room)
New Student Induction
11:00-12:00 Great Hall (Conference Center 203)
Bell Tower Tradition
12:00-12:15 (Bell Tower)
We are so excited to meet you. Please contact us if you have any questions.
435-865-8752 l parents@suu.edu
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Parent & Family Winter Weekend
February 11th-12th
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Friday, February 11, 2022
SUU Women’s Gymnastics Meet
7:00 pm, America First Event Center
Join us for an exciting meet against Utah State University. Use group code "PARENTS" for discount tickets. Students get in free with a student ID.
Saturday, February 12, 2022
Active Family Fun
9:00 am - 3:00 pm, J.L. Sorenson P.E. Building
Active families will love exploring our PE building. Favorites include indoor rock climbing wall, racquetball, pickleball, swimming, & indoor track.
Free to all families of SUU students (this day only)
T-Bird Family Winter Weekend Check-In and
Fan Fest
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, Student Center Ballroom
Come enjoy lunch, games, and T-Bird prizes with your student. Get ready for the game with our Cheer and Dance Team and a special visit by Thor. The event is free with Weekend RSVP.
SUU Women's Basketball Game
2 pm, America First Event Center
Join us for an exciting game against Sacramento State. Use group code “PARENTS” for discount tickets. Students get in free with a student ID.
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FAFSA, Scholarships, & Financial Plans |
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Winter break is a great time to get started on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next academic year. By completing the FAFSA, students will be considered for grants, work-study, and loans. SUU Financial Aid has great tips for getting started and a link to the application on their website at suu.edu/finaid.
Scholarship Applications for current students including Departmental, Housing, Staff Association, and Graduating Class Gift opened November 1st. For a how-to video on applying for these scholarships, click here.
If your student needs help creating a financial game plan to get them through the school year, have them reach out to financialwellness@suu.edu to schedule a one-on-one appointment to help make their budget last.
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Important Dates to Know for Spring
If your student is coming home over any of the breaks, schedule travel, doctor, and dentist
appointments around these dates.
- Friday, January 7: Spring Orientation, for new students starting in the Spring
- Monday, January 10: Start of Spring semester
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Monday, January 17: Martin Luther King Day, no classes; campus is closed
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Monday, February 21: President's Day, no classes; campus is closed
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Monday, February 28-Friday, March 4: Spring Break, no classes; campus is open
- Sunday, April 24: Instruction Ends
- Monday, April 25-28: Final Exams
- Friday, April 29: Commencement
- Monday, May 16: Summer term begins
For details about other important dates throughout the academic year, review the Academic Calendar.
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T-Bird Terms
College Terms You Need to Know:
Add/Drop Period
A grace period at the beginning of each semester during which your student can decide to add or drop a course with no penalty.
Your student should talk to their Student Success Advisor if they aren't sure about their classes next semester. Here is more information about SUU's Academic Advising.
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Student Resources
The following resources are available to all SUU students, please encourage your student to
utilize these free resources. To see the full list, click here.
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Tutoring Center- drop-in tutoring, study groups, and one-on-one tutoring. Students can also work with a tutor to improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and time management.
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Tutoring Center Online Resources- includes videos, worksheets, and links to help students improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and study strategies.
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Writing Center- resources and opportunities to encourage successful writers across all disciplines. Their webpage includes tips for writing and online appointment scheduling.
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Speech and Presentation Center- assists students in the writing and presentation of speeches.
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Student Support Services- developmental classes, skills courses, and academic and tutoring support for students who are first-generation, first-time, low income, ESL, non-traditional, or have physical or learning disabilities.
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Disability Support Center- support and services for students with disabilities who are overcoming different educational difficulties because of their individual challenges. Coordinate campus accommodations and access to services.
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Gerald R. Sherratt Library- quiet study areas, print papers, get research help, reserve a study room, use a computer, make copies, check out calculators, Ipads, and books.
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Visit Professor- office hours are posted days and times a professor will be available in his/her office to meet with students and answer questions. Office hours are listed on the class syllabus, which students can view in Canvas. Students should come prepared with specific questions or concerns related to the class. Professors want their students to take advantage of this time. They are the ones that create the content of the course so please encourage your student to go if they aren't understanding the material.
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Schedule a meeting with their ACE (peer mentor). Stop by the Nest, Student Center room 178, visit the Nest website, or call 435-865-8752 with any questions, or to find out who their ACE is.
- Form a study group with peers from the class.
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Reach out to their Academic Advisor for support, guidance in creating schedules, preparing for graduation.
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Schedule a Career Assessment with the Career Center to explore strengths and career pathways.
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If your student is struggling with mental health issues, they can reach out to CAPS for counseling, group therapy, and additional support.
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The health, safety, and well-being of every member of the SUU family is a priority for us. SUU operates under the direction and guidance of a number of entities including the Utah State Legislature, the Utah System of Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the Utah Department of Health, the Southwest Department of Health, and various accrediting bodies.
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If your student is struggling emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. and you aren't sure where to send them, please contact us and we will help you find the resources they need.
parents@suu.edu or 435-865-8752
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