USC Aiken Parent and Family Newsletter-March, 2019

Volume I |March 2019

In This Issue:

When Grades Aren't Exactly

What You Were Expecting

Midterm exams, projects, and papers are coming due. Your student has worked hard, and you have remained a constant support. But, what if the resulting grade is less than what your student - or you - expect?

These situations are opportunities to coach students in ways to overcome poor grades, develop strategies, and set goals.

Ask if they have talked to their professor. A benefit of attending USC Aiken is that our professors are approachable and want every student to succeed. Professors' office hours are on each syllabus; students must initiate the request for help. Syllabi examples can be found here.
Talking to professors provides an opportunity for students to maturely address the situation with facts and a positive attitude.
Ask your student to sign up for tutoring before one poor grade leads to a downward spiral.
Academic advisors are here to help students, but again, students need to initiate contact by making an appointment and then follow through by keeping it.

Most of us have received a disappointing grade in school or review at work. When this happens to students, parents should listen and coach but resist the urge to handle the situation. It's better to support students' efforts to overcome obstacles themselves, and be proud of the adults they become in the process.

Thank you,

Sandy Talbott

Parent and Family Relations Coordinator

803-642-2825

[email protected]

Commencement

The above decals will be available to parents and families at the May 8 commencement ceremony. If you cannot attend but would like one, please email [email protected] with students' full name and their USC Aiken email address.

We will notify students when they can pick up your decal for you. Sorry, we cannot mail decals.

Congratulations!

Grad Finale

Encourage your degree candidate to attend Grad Finale on Tuesday, April 2 from

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and again from 3 - 6 p.m. in the Student Activities Center (SAC) mezzanine. Among other things, students may:

Purchase Family Celebration Brunch tickets
Get a photo taken in cap and gown
Order a class ring
Learn about the graduation ticket process.

Parents and families can read more about USC Aiken commencement here .

Dinner Discussions

USC Aiken faculty and staff strive to build relationships with students - both in and out of the classroom. Dinner Discussion opportunities is one way that we do this.

School of Education students, faculty, and staff enjoyed Dinner Discussions at the Pickens-Salley House in January.

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences students, faculty, and staff enjoyed Dinner Discussions in February.

Increased College Tuition Tax Credit

for South Carolina Students

South Carolina residents are encouraged to check with a tax professional to see if your student qualifies for an increased college tuition tax credit. This article explains details.

Alumni Office Scholarships

The Alumni office is offering three different scholarship opportunities for USC Aiken students. The application deadline is April 1. Encourage your student to apply!

Polo, Anyone?

Consider taking your student and family to Pacers and Polo at Aiken's famous Powderhouse Polo Field , Saturday, March 30. This is the third event of the Aiken Triple Crown. The VIP tent opens at 10:30 a.m. and the polo match begins at 1 p.m. Proceeds from this event provide scholarships for students.

Enjoy this family event, and learn what it means to " stomp a divot! " (NOTE: Volume is turned on in this clip.)

Click here for more information and to order tickets.

Generation Z

Most USC Aiken undergraduate students are part of Generation Z. Many of their parents are included in Generation X or Millennials who have college-aged students.

Here are some interesting comparisons on how Generation Z students are different than those who came before them. It's "real talk" (Generation Z slang for saying something that is true!).

How Well Do You Know Your Student?

Have some fun!

See how well you and your student know each other. Take this quiz and share a few laughs!

Adjust your volume when starting the video.

Disclaimer: Discover produced this video. However, USC Aiken does not endorse Discover or any other credit card or loan company.

As Kids Prepare to Leave for College, Parents and Teens Face Off

Be Informed About Move-Out

Policies and Procedures

It's hard to believe that the year is almost over, and students will soon be moving out of housing!

If your student lives in Pacer Crossings, Pacer Commons, or Pacer Downs, you may want to read this, and then have a conversation with your resident student. Thank you for your support!

Is Your Student Considering Off-Campus Living?

Note from Parent and Family Relations :

Our February, 2019 , newsletter included an article on how students benefit from living on campus. This month, communications student, Tyrese Thomas, is sharing his thoughts as he contemplates securing off-campus housing.

Hi! I’m Tyrese Thomas, a communication major in my sophomore year at USC Aiken. As an incoming freshman, I lived in Pacer Crossings which is a designated building for first-year students. Currently, I reside in Pacer Downs, apartment-style dorms.

Living on campus is beneficial as parking is convenient, and I can walk to class and get there on time. Laundry and computer labs are close by, as well as the campus police office if I ever need it. However, for a few reasons I have decided that next year I will move off campus.

Living off campus permits me to grow as an adult and gain life experiences, such as budgeting, signing important documents, and communicating with a landlord or property manager. Splitting costs and utilities with others will help financially, and teach me to become more responsible when budgeting.

Challenges with living off campus are finding a roommate, figuring out whether to get an apartment or a house, costs for rent, utilities, internet, and insurance. I’ll also consider safety, and the time it takes to commute.

Everyone has different priorities, and many students prefer to live on campus for their entire college experience. However, moving off campus is right for me as it will help me prepare for life after USC Aiken.

Opportunities for Worship

USC Aiken supports students who choose to live their faith while away from home. In addition to student-led groups (see Religious Organizations and Voices of Praise) on campus, the Aiken area offers houses of worship for many faiths. If your student is seeking a place to celebrate an upcoming holiday, or if you would like to attend services with your student, check out these opportunities.