March 2007
The monthly e-newsletter for members of the UNCG Parent/Family Association



UNCG's advising and registration period for summer and fall 2007 is March 19 through April 11. During this time, all students are expected to meet with their assigned academic advisor or advising center to discuss their academic progress, plan their spring schedule, and obtain their advising code to register.

Students will receive an email from the University Registrar's Office in early March informing them of their registration window and reminding them to contact their advisor or advising center. Students should make this contact by email, by phone, or in person at least two weeks prior to their registration window to set up an advising appointment. Many advisors post their office hours and advising appointment schedules on their office door to allow students to sign up for an advising appointment. Students can find the name of their advisor or advising center in UNCGenie.

Encourage your student to be prepared for the advising appointment by previewing the summer and fall course schedule in UNCGenie to find out when classes will be offered. Students should also review the requirements for their major using the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin and their online degree evaluation in UNCGenie to determine what courses they will need. Students should print their degree evaluation and take it with them to their advising appointment.

This is a busy time for both students and advisors, so encourage your student to arrive early for the advising appointment with a list of preferred courses, as well as a list of alternate sections and times for these courses to ensure flexibility in the scheduling process. Students should also take time before the advising appointment to compile a list of questions they may have for their advisor to ensure they get the information they need. Your student may call Student Academic Services at 336.334.5730 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with any questions about the advising and registration process or visit the website at: http://web.uncg.edu/adv/advising/index.php?sec=0.

Special thanks to Sonja Beach, Assistant Director of Student Academic Services, for submitting this article.



Spring Break is around the corner…a time-honored tradition that both faculty and students look forward to with much anticipation and excitement. For most students, it's a time to get away from instructors, to take a break from papers and exams, and to avoid other sources of stress in their lives. For faculty and staff, it's also a time to breathe, to think about creative ways to reach students, and to enjoy the quietness of the moment. So, for students and faculty/staff, Spring Break is a good thing and a win-win situation.

But what about the parents? What do they think about while their sons and daughters are away from home and school? Do they think about their sons and daughters' fun and relaxation during the Spring break? Maybe. Do they wonder about the good lessons that they have instilled in their young heads and hearts during their children's early developmental years? Possibly. Or, do they simply smile and say to themselves, "My baby will be just fine"? Who knows?

Being a worrisome parent and an "old-school" psychologist, however, I seriously doubt it. You may wonder what would possibly possess me to come to this conclusion about our sons, daughters, and Spring Break. Well, most of us have "been there and done that." Some of us understand too well the saying "What happens on Spring break stays among friends and roommates". We may worry that our sons and daughters don't always practice good judgment. So, parents: worry away. You've earned the right to worry yourselves sick, to fret about every possible detail of their time away from you, and to pace the floors into the wee hours of the night. Or, you might consider having a direct conversation with your students about making good choices, being aware of their surroundings, and considering the long-term consequences of short term decisions.

If your sons and daughters wonder why you worry and still treat them like they are only twelve years old, tell them your reasons are simple. One, you love them and it's your privilege to care for and worry about them. Two, regardless of their age, you will always be their parents and that job is never completely done. And, three, it makes for great meal-time conversations when sons, daughters, and parents can sit around the dinner table and avoid talking about Spring Break events that never really happened.

So, encourage your sons and daughters to enjoy the time, the relationships, and the opportunities that many people aren't able to enjoy. And remind them to be safe, be sound, and be smart.

~ Edward F. Morris, Ph.D., HSP-P
Clinical Psychologist
Director, UNCG Counseling & Testing Center




If you'd like more information on spring break preparation for yourself or for your students, you may wish to check out these sites:
  - Tips for Discussing Alcohol Consumption over Spring Break
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/NIAAACollegeFactSheet2006.pdf

  - Spring Break Guidelines (as well as many other valuable college life tips)
http://www.ecampustours.com



Are your students undecided or not certain about a major? Encourage them to attend the Discover Your Major workshops held by Career Services. During the hour and a half session, students will take an assessment that will identify their interests, abilities, and work values. Then, based on the assessment, students will be given a list of suggested careers and college majors. Additionally, students will begin work on a six-step Career Action Plan. After the workshop, students are strongly encouraged to meet individually with a Career Counselor to further interpret the results of the assessment and discuss specifics of their Career Action Plan. Discover Your Major workshops will be held on Friday, March 16 from 2:00-3:30pm and March 30 from 3:00-4:30pm in the UNCG Career Services Center in the Elliott University Center.

For more information on the workshops, please visit the Career Services website at: http://csc.dept.uncg.edu/ or to RSVP for the Discover Your Major Workshops, email Jennifer Ruggiero at jlruggie@uncg.edu.

Special thanks to Jennifer Ruggiero, Career/Internship Coordinator, Career Services, for contributing to this article.



Is your student graduating and looking a full-time job or searching for the perfect internship? Encourage him or her to attend Career Service's Spring Career Expo on Wednesday, March 28 from 12:30-4:00pm in the Cone Ballroom in the Elliott University Center. Over sixty employers in various industries will be in attendance. Students must have a valid UNCG ID card to enter and are expected to dress in professional attire. For a list of employers attending the expo and links to their websites, please visit: http://web.uncg.edu/hire/careerexpo/participants.asp .



Worried your students might be gaining the freshman (or sophomore, or junior…) fifteen? Or, do you just want to know that they are staying active and healthy? UNCG's Campus Recreation Department offers numerous options to help students stay healthy, including group exercise classes, personal training, fitness assessments, and weight management classes. Live in the Greensboro area? You can also go to the Student Recreation Center with your student for a $5.00 fee. The Recreation Center and Rosenthal Pool are also open for family recreation on Fridays (beginning at 5pm), Saturdays, and Sundays. For more information on the programs offered by Campus Recreation, please visit: http://campusrec.uncg.edu/fitness/ .



Good nutrition is a major component of staying healthy and performing well in school. UNCG strives to provide healthy food options for students daily. UNCG also has a Nutrition Center, located in The Caf on the upper level of the Main Dining Hall, which provides assistance in meeting any dietary needs of students. Additionally, Dining Services provides a Healthy Eating Brochure that gives nutrition information, including calories, fat, carbs, fiber, and protein, for most items served on campus.

For more information on healthy eating on campus and to access the Healthy Eating Brochure, please visit:
http://www.campusdish.com/NR/rdonlyres/2BBFE935-A0EF-4B19-B91C-DD7D2A16E11A/20385/ARAMARKHealthWellnessNutritionNewsFactSheetforCons.pdf.



Want to let your student know you of thinking of him or her? Send your student a "Hip Kit". A Hip Kit is a gift basket that you can tailor for any occasion: birthdays, holidays, exam stress relief, or simply "I miss you". Hip Kits will put the gift basket together for you and ship it to your student. For more information on the variety of Hip Kits offered and how to place an order, please visit:
http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSSE/UNCGreensboro/GiftBaskets/ .



Is your student struggling through research for one or more of his or her classes? Virtual help has arrived! Students can ask any questions they might have about research on-line, any time of the day. UNCG libraries have several on-line options available to assist students day or night, whether they are on campus or not. Students can choose to talk to a librarian over instant messaging, via email, or over the phone. For a list of communication options and availability times, please visit: http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/askalib/ .




Weatherspoon Art Museum will hold its annual Spring Family Day on March 25 from 2 to 4pm. Family Day: In and Around the Home features art activities, gallery tours, performances, and demonstrations of kid-friendly projects in and outside the home. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the museum at 336.334.5770 or visit: http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu/events/events_detail.asp?WamCoeID=289 .





We are here to serve you, the parent and family members of UNCG students. If you have suggestions for future articles in Family Connections or any general suggestions, comments, or concerns, please email us at families@uncg.edu . We look forward to hearing from you!


Be sure to let us know into which category your advice falls. If you have some words of wisdom to pass on to other parents, please send your responses via email to: families@uncg.edu . We look forward to hearing from you!



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