Welcome to all Horned Frog families, parents, and guardians! We hope that your Horned Frog is staying warm as we settle back into campus after this winter storm! Many of our students managed to stay busy by cozying up with a blanket and binge watching tv, or they focused on turning household objects into sleds! Regardless, our Horned Frogs made the most of the storm and enjoyed the days off. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to TCU’s Groundskeeping, Public Safety, Dining, Facilities, and Housekeeping teams for braving the harsh conditions to keep TCU running and our Horned Frogs warm, fed, and safe!
Whether it’s your Horned Frog’s first time on campus or the start of their final semester, we hope they had a great first few weeks of classes and! As they ease back into their new schedules, we know that it can be easy for them (and you) to get a little overloaded! With new deadlines, responsibilities, and desires, we want to help them get going strong!
Here are some good conversation starters to discuss with them now to set them up for success later!
“How are you readjusting after the storm? What worked well? What can we do differently this semester?”
We always want the best for our Horned Frogs academically and personally! Regardless of how their Fall semester may have ended, the Spring offers new opportunities to build on the things that worked and revisit the ones that didn’t work. While the recent snow storm offered a good rest, we also want to ensure that our Horned Frogs can pick-up right where they left off!
Missed an important deadline? Perhaps it’s time to get a physical/digital calendar or planner!
Did really well on your Fall exams? Reuse and adapt those study methods or study spaces this go-around!
Do they have a really early or really late class? Ask how they’re adjusting their sleep, meal, and rest schedules to maximize their day!
“How are you organizing all of the responsibilities?”
Your Horned Frog should have all of the syllabi for each of their classes by now! Professors will often provide a calendar for readings, assignments, and major deadlines for projects and exams FOR THE ENTIRE SEMESTER in the syllabus.
Encourage your Horned Frog to take moment to review all of the important academic dates and deadlines and map them out on their preferred planner or calendar! It is possible that some of these dates have now changed because of the university’s closure! Some students thrive with written dates and deadlines, others prefer a digital app with reminders! Regardless, check-in with your Horned Frog to make sure they’re caught up!
“How can I best help you?”
A key but often forgotten question! As parents and families, we want what’s best for our students! Some may need space while others may prefer frequent contact! It is also possible that their needs may have changed from the Fall to Spring! And for our first-year students, you might have noticed a different person after one semester of college. You might need to adapt to the individual needs of your student at this point in time.
Words of encouragement, the occasional electronic gift card for a treat, coffee or a meal, and weekly reminders of you’re thinking about them go a long way. Remember, sometimes they need a text that requires no response. Chat with your student to see how you can best support them this semester!