December 2013 by Aggie Families

Quick Connection

December 2013

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside: Page 2: Final Exams

Howdy!

Page 3: Housing Reminders

December is here already and students are preparing for the last stretch of the semester and finals. In a few short weeks, students will be on winter break and it is important to communicate with them regarding plans for their visit home. Students may have mixed emotions about leaving friends, relationships, and their Aggie home. Do not take these emotions personally, it is normal behavior for students.

Page 4: Graduation Page 5: Healthy and Happy Holidays

We encourage you to visit the Aggie Family web site for additional updates and helpful resources. You can visit us at http://parents.tamu.edu. Please feel free to contact New Student & Family Programs at (979) 845-5826, or email us at AggieFamilies@tamu.edu if you have any questions. Thanks and Gig `Em!

Page 5: Important Dates Did you attend New Family Welcome? Look at our photos here!

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Final Exams

Tips For Success Final examinations will be held on Friday, December 6th and Monday, December 9th-Wednesday, December 11th, 2013. The fall final exam schedule is posted online at: http://registrar.tamu.edu/general/finalschedule.aspx Tips The first thing students should do is prepare a schedule of how they will approach their finals. It’s best to stick to the normal schedule they had throughout the semester. Encourage them to avoid studying late hours and pulling all-nighters. Sleep is essential to effective studying and test preparation so always make sure they are getting a good night’s sleep. Stress the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise while avoiding excessive use of caffeine. Make sure students utilize hours when they are the most efficient. Whether it’s the morning, afternoon, or evening, students need to focus on studying during the times where they are the most productive and use the other times for study breaks like napping or meeting friends for lunch/dinner. Also, students should avoid studying for similar courses consecutively and should break up those courses with a different style course. For example, if they have a final in chemistry, biology, and history, have them focus on chemistry, then history, and finish with biology. This will allow students to distinguish material and avoid the “overflow” of a specific field of study. Finally, have your student organize their study time so that they can effectively plan their routine as discussed above. Have them mark every final on their calendar and make a “to-do” list of preparations including:

• What will my final cover? (cumulative v. specific chapters) • What priority is this course relative to other courses I am taking? • Have I finished all of the reading and/or assignments? • Do I have all of my lecture notes? Are they organized? • How much time will it take to cover this material?

After answering these questions, students will be able to break up material and appropriately allocate time to cover each area. They should determine how much time it will take to review each piece of material and determine what will be the most important for the final. Grades It is Texas A&M University’s policy to not mail grades. Parents/guardians should discuss setting up a parent password to access information (grades, class schedule and verification of enrollment). This access can be set up at http://howdy.tamu.edu. Unofficial grades may be printed from this web page for scholarship sponsors, good student insurance discounts, employer reimbursement, etc. Any student may set a parent password to allow limited access to their records by a parent, guardian, spouse, or other individual as deemed appropriate by the student. You may find information about these steps by visiting http://registrar.tamu.edu/Parents/GradeParents.aspx.

Before Heading Home Housing Reminders

With the semester coming to a close, students will be packing up their room, house, or apartment to make the trip back home for the extended break. It is imperative that students make sure to secure their belongings before leaving the Bryan/College Station area. We have compiled some tips that students should follow to make sure they have a safe and secure winter break: • Notify apartment manager of absence during the winter break. • Be sure all doors and windows are closed and locked securely. If your student lives on the first floor, encourage them to double check their window locks and consider purchasing additional window locks from a home improvement store. • Leave inside lights and/or radio on timers so that it will appear someone is home. • Leave a few outside lights on (front door, back door, backyard area). • Turn central heat on and set at a low temperature (50 degrees) in case the weather turns cold while you’re gone. • Leave cabinet doors open under sink areas to allow warm air flow to help prevent pipes from freezing. • If you live in a residential property, wrap outside water pipes and the air-conditioning line to the house. • If there is a sprinkler system, either turn it off or set it to water only once a week. • If your student desires to have mail forwarded while gone, fill out a change of address card a few weeks before leaving or contact the post office to have them hold mail, which they will do for up to 30 days. • Pay January 2014 rent in December if your student won’t be back by the time January’s rent is due. • Make sure bills are taken care of, especially utility bills. Talk with roommates to determine who/how the bills will be paid over the break. • Take valuables (laptops, Xbox, Playstation, flat-screens, etc.) home/ • Secure/Store away items usually kept outside such as lawn mowers, BBQ grills, furniture, and bicycles. • Keep valuables out of sight or take them home • Keep window blinds and drapes closed. • Throw away food that will spoil. Don’t leave it sitting inside but use the dumpster or outside garbage receptacle. • Talk to someone locally who will be staying in town to come and check on your student’s house. They can pick up mail/papers and remove door hanger advertisements and flyers from the door, put away garbage cans, and check the doors to make sure that maintenance, pest control, or anyone else doing work in your home while you’re gone has closed and locked all doors behind them.

Graduation

Commissioning and Commencement December Commencement Ceremonies: Commencement Convocation: Commencement ceremonies begin with a convocation that features one notable speaker. This year’s Commencement Convocation will take place on Thursday, December 12th at Rudder Auditorium at 5:30 pm with speaker Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, President of Texas A&M University. Dr. Loftin will conclude his term as 24th President of Texas A&M in January 2014 (as announced in the TAMU Times in July 2013). Students are not required to wear academic regalia at Convocation, but will need to do so at the subsequent degree-granting exercises. Friday, December 13th, 9 a.m. – Reed Arena Graduates and Undergraduates in Agriculture and Life Sciences Graduates and Undergraduates in Mays Business School Graduates and Undergraduates in Science Friday, December 13th, 2 p.m. – Reed Arena Graduates in Bush School of Government and Public Service Graduates and Undergraduates in Architecture Graduates and Undergraduates in Dwight Look College of Engineering Graduates and Undergraduates in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Friday, December 13th, 7 p.m. – Reed Arena Graduates and Undergraduates in Education and Human Development Graduates and Undergraduates in Geosciences Graduates and Undergraduates in Liberal Arts

Congratulations December Graduates! The Next Tradition

The Next Tradition is designed to welcome graduating students into The Association of Former Students, teaching the importance of staying involved beyond Individual Commissioning Ceremonies, Friday, December 13th: their time at Texas A&M University. Students are Air Force: 11:30 AM, Wehner Building Auditorium Navy/Marine: Noon, Memorial Student Center Bethancourt Ballroom (MSC 2300) welcome to invite family and friends to join them at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center for prizes, Army: Noon, Rudder Theater refreshments, professional photos under the Haynes Aggie Ring Replica, all while learning about the many benefits of the Aggie Network and Association of Former Students! More information at: http://graduation.tamu.edu

Thursday, December 12th, 2013 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Drive Thru & Get Your Decal Friday, December 13th, 2013 Time: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Come & Go Open House)

Photo courtsey of Corps of Cadets

Holiday Safety Tips from ADEP

A message from Alcohol & Drug Education Programs.... “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” to be responsible about holiday drinking. As the festivities rapidly approach, often students have to deal with the increased pressures and stress that college places on them. The holiday season has become one of the most dangerous times of the year for alcohol related accidents and death. Why are alcohol related accidents and death more frequent during the holiday? Well, more people are likely to drink during the holidays due to numerous parties and other festivities. Although the number of parties on a student’s calendar may increase, that does not mean that their level of responsibility with alcohol should decrease. During the holidays, many holiday drinkers are not frequent drinkers therefore their level of alcohol tolerance is low. Since their alcohol tolerance is low, people often underestimate their level of impairment and may be more likely to drive when they shouldn’t. Driving while intoxicated can also occur for those individuals with high tolerances to alcohol because blood alcohol concentration does not change with tolerance levels. Regardless of tolerance level, getting behind the wheel after a night of drinking is always a bad idea. Problem drinkers may also increase their abuse to alcohol during this time of the year because holiday drinking provides a more social occasion to drink. Often, some will feel more “normal” because occasional drinkers are also more likely to abuse alcohol during this time of year. Before deciding to drink, individuals should consider the reasons why they are choosing to drink and develop a plan to stick to their healthy decisions. The holidays are often busy and stressful times for many people, but are also the times when family and friends can get together and celebrate each other’s company. If you chose to drink, alcohol should only be a complement to your holiday festivities. Don’t let the opportunity to drink muddle the main purpose of a party which is to have fun with people you know. Drinking is always an option, choice, and a responsibility. You can ensure that your holiday celebrations are relaxing, enjoyable, and peaceful as long as you remember to drink in moderation and always have a sober driver. More information on ADEP can be found at: http://studentlife.tamu.edu/adep.

Student Life Spotlight: Did you know… The Battalion has been the official student newspaper at Texas A&M since 1893? Student Media produces national award-winning publications, The Battalion newspaper, Aggieland yearbook, and the Campus Directory. All are written, edited and produced by students and offer excellent opportunities to gain valuable experience for journalistic and related careers. Participation is not limited to any course of study or classification, but rather is open to all interested students. Student editors, writers and other staff members receive salaries commensurate with their duties and responsibilities. To learn more, visit studentlife.tamu.edu/studentmedia

For more information visit: studentlife.tamu.edu and “like” the Offices of the Dean of Student Life on Facebook!

The Holiday Season Healthy Tips

A Healthy Holiday Wish from the Registered Dietitian… H ave pre-dinner snack such as raw veggies or low fat string cheese to avoid overeating at dinner. A void eating the turkey skin, which provides half of the fat in one serving of poultry. P lan ahead to make at least a few healthier items for the menu. P ractice portion control and limit seconds. Y ams and sweet potatoes can be prepared without margarine and avoid the marshmallow topping. H ow about a game of football? Gather up the family to get active and have some fun! O verfill your plate with veggies and leave only a small space for higher calorie foods. L eave the leftovers for someone else; eating the extras for 2 weeks won’t help your waistline. I nclude low-fat choices for dessert, such as pumpkin pie made with skim milk, pumpkin brownies, or a fruit salad. D ownsize your dinnerware; use small plates. A llow your food to “breathe;” don’t pile food high on your plate. Y olks can be removed from boiled eggs to decrease fat in the cornbread dressing. S ubstitute low-fat dairy ingredients as often as possible.

On behalf of the\entire Aggie Family, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season! 6

Upcoming Dates December-January

December 4-5 Reading Days, No Classes December 6, 9-11: Final Exams December 13-14: Commencement and Commissioning December 16: Final Grades Due for All Students December 23-January 1: Holiday, University Closed January 10: Last Day to Register for Spring 2014 Classes January 13: First Day of Spring 2014 Classes January 17: Last Day for Adding/Dropping Classes January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, University Closed Spring MSC Open House Is your student still looking for involvement opportunities? Encourage them to attend MSC Open House! Students can attend the Spring MSC Open House on Sunday, January 19th from 2-5pm in the MSC. Student organizations will have tables set up with information about their organizations. The groups that choose to participate in the Spring Open House are typically the ones who are taking new members for the spring semester.

Aggie Orientation Leader Program Execs. 2013-2014

2013 Family Calendar SALE!

We are pleased to let you know we have 2013-2014 Family Calendars available for purchase for a discounted price of $5 (includes tax) plus applicable shipping. These calendars are a great resource for you as a family member! They include important deadlines, helpful campus phone numbers, university holidays, final exam dates, and information about several campus resources available to your student. To purchase the 2013-2014 Aggie Family Calendar please go to http://parents.tamu.edu. If you need assistance ordering please contact our office at 979.845.5826.

Do you know other members of the Aggie Family who might want to receive this newsletter? Please feel free to forward it to them, or tell them how to sign up for the listserv. Visit: http://parents.tamu.edu/listserv for instructions to subscribe/unsubscribe