Welcome back to the Frog Family 4-1-1! We hope your Horned Frog was able to power through the short month of February and is/are gearing up for Spring Break in a few short weeks!
As our students prepare for their week away from classes, it is important to touch base with them regarding their plans to rest, recover, and stay on track with potential midterms. Our Horned Frogs have worked hard to get to this point, so let’s balance resting with making sure we do not lose steam half-way into the semester!
Here are some good conversation starters to discuss with them the next few weeks:
What are your plans for Spring Break?
It is very important that you get a chance to discuss their plans before they are away from school. Some of our students will remain on-campus, some may travel back home, and some may plan trips with friends. Regardless, it is important to know what they intend on doing so you can establish your expectations with them.
Are they staying on-campus? Campus may be a little quieter than usual, so make sure they look for any changes in the service hours for things like dining, the library, and any offices they may interact with. While campus itself remains open during the week of Spring Break, hours WILL be adjusted to accommodate for a temporarily smaller student population.
Are they coming home? Make sure you’re both on the same page for arrival and departure times. Similar to Winter Break, check-in on what they plan to do with their week off. Some of our Horned Frogs intend to sleep in, visit friends, or have varying adventures while home. You will likely have your own set of plans, so make sure you discuss them ahead to minimize potential conflicts.
Are they going on a trip? Encourage them to have fun while also staying safe. Have a game plan for communication schedules, emergency contacts, travel documents, and traveling in groups. We want our Horned Frogs to be safe and have fun at the same time. We encourage they take pictures of important documents like a passport or official ID and consider sharing their location with a friend or family member. Additionally, we always recommend a buddy system when they are out.
What important assignments or deadlines are coming?
While the week away from classes will be great for sleeping in, recovering, or taking a trip, the assignments and exams for our Horned Frogs aren’t going anywhere. Some may have exams or assignments due immediately after they return, while others may have midterms or big projects later into the semester. Chat with your Horned Frog to make sure they manage their time efficiently. Prioritize rest during the break, but let’s make sure they don’t put themselves into stressful situations.
What do you need from me?
A powerful but often forgotten question. You can phrase this in whatever way fits best! Perhaps you ask “Is there anything I can do for you?”, “How can I support?”, or any variation that fits your relationship style. While some students may answer with simple and silly things like “I need money”, this question can unveil the needs that they’ve avoided addressing or haven’t thought about. You may not have all of the answers in the moment, and they may dismiss the question by saying “everything is fine”, but ask nonetheless! It doesn’t hurt to ask, but it does hurt later to realize they needed support and didn’t have it.