THE TRANSITION TO WASHU SUMMER BEFORE WASHU The summer before your student heads to college is a special one for your family. We hope you will have the opportunity to reflect and create memories. It can also be a busy time as your family prepares for your student’s arrival to WashU. There are many to-do items your student needs to accomplish before their arrival to campus in August. Please remind your student to complete the summer new student checklists that will arrive to your student’s permanent address in June, July, and August. In addition to the checklist we provide, it’s also a good time to make sure your student is prepared to live more independently. If your student is not already doing so, please use the summer months as an opportunity for them to do their own laundry, clean their own living space, and cook some simple meals. It’s also a good time to talk to them about things like managing their own money, expectations about how often and when they will be in contact with you - phone, texts, video calls - and how to advocate for themselves. You should also talk to your student about information you may expect them to share regarding their grades and academic progress. Your student’s record, including academic and health information, is their own and is not shared by the university with parents and family members. Lastly, please speak with them about your family’s values and expectations around alcohol, relationships, and making good decisions. The companion “Parent & Family Guide to Habif Health & Wellness” provides tips on how to start these conversations.
2 | BEAR ESSENTIALS
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE CHECKLISTS The checklists can also be found at newstudents.wustl.edu under the “Before You Arrive” tab.
TRANSFER STUDENTS Families of transfer students, please reference the transfer-specific checklist in your students’ copy of New Bearings.