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Student Affairs
March 19, 2013

Happy Spring Break from Columbia

Dear Columbia families,

From all of us in Columbia Student Affairs, I want to wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe spring. While all Columbia students are excited for a momentary break from formal classroom study, many of them will spend their week across the country and around the world in fascinating service-learning projects and alternative break programs. Some of them will head home to see their family and friends. Others will remain here on-campus and take the time to visit the many famous New York City landmarks and cultural institutions that make life here so interesting.

Though campus is a bit quieter this week, the Office of International Student Programs and Services is hosting two events for all students on campus, including a potluck dinner on Tuesday, March 19, and a pizza and movie night on Thursday, March 21. Staff from Columbia Student Affairs and Columbia Public Safety remain available and ready to assist you with any concerns over Spring Break. To speak with a staff member, please call my office during business hours or Columbia Public Safety at 212-854-5555.

Sincerely,

Matthew Patashnick
Director of Parent and Family Programs
Email | Web | Facebook
Phone: 212-854-2446

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News

The Trials and Tribulations of Spring Break: Helpful Advice from CPS

Although many college students return home for Spring Break, some find spring break an opportunity to go on vacation with friends. The academic year is nearing its end, but there is still much work and pressure ahead: final exams, a thesis to be completed, a search for summer jobs or internships, and, for seniors, saying goodbye to their college days. College students sometimes plan a road trip with friends or, if affordable, a vacation to an island. It is a wonderful time to spend with college friends, but there are some cautions to be had. And you, as parents, can help to pave the way for a safe trip.

Whether your student stays at school, comes home, or goes on a trip with friends, this is a time for you, the parents, to impart your wisdom. It is important to do so within the context of expressing your enthusiasm about whatever he or she is doing and your desire for your student to have fun. There are ways to remind your student that Spring Break can be a time when college students can tend to let loose and that there are a few key things to keep in mind, mainly safety issues and moderation.

The most important factor, as always, is safety. If a road trip is in order, then the designated driver must always have had a good night’s sleep and be sober. It’s never a good idea to stay up most of the night and then get in the car to do the next leg of the trip. As always, remind your daughter or son to get enough sleep and not to skip meals. Perhaps the most important thing for your student to remember is MODERATION in all things. Spring Break can be a time when moderation is forgotten. Excessive drinking can lead to poor decisions and dangerous behavior. Remind your student to be careful, not to go overboard in any area. Remind her or him that saying "no" is important if friends want to do something that seems reckless. It’s okay for your student to say, “I don’t think that’s a good idea." In the end, this will be appreciated by all.

Spring break is a good time to reflect on this academic year: How has it gone so far? What are the goals for the next couple of months? It’s always a good idea to go over your expectations as well as your student’s expectations when at and away from home. It’s important to remind your student to get enough sleep, to eat three meals a day, and to have some good quality time. But these reminders need not be heavy handed. It can be hard at this age, when your student is becoming more autonomous and may need to push you away. Allow her or him the space to show you that she or he is trustworthy. It’s a tough balance for parents. These college years can be complicated times for parents as your sons and daughters are growing up, trying new things, making mistakes, learning from them, and sometimes needing distance from you.   Giving your student space while, at the same time, imparting wise advice may lead to things going more smoothly than you think.

As always, remember that you can contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) at 212-854-2878 if you have concerns about your student.

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Volunteer at Days On Campus

Each spring, the Columbia Undergraduate Admissions Office welcomes accepted students and families to Columbia
for Days on Campus, an overnight program for students to learn more about life at Columbia. Programming for accepted families also includes a panel presentation with current Columbia parents and students (perhaps you remember attending this program in April of your student's senior year of high school).

Parent and Family Programs is looking for a small group of parent volunteers to join our student panelists here at Columbia. You'll have the opportunity to answer questions from parents of accepted students and share your knowledge of and excitement for all things Columbia! Follow the link to express your interest.

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Coming Soon: The End of the Academic Year

It is hard to believe but the end of the 2012-2013 academic year is almost upon us. Parent and Family Programs is committed to making sure that you have the best information possible to help your student and your family transition to summer.

In our upcoming April Family Connection Newsletter, we will offer helpful tips and words of wisdom to ensure an easy residence hall check-out. Please send Parent and Family Programs any questions you have. Chances are that another family has a simliar question! We will include all of your questions and answers in our next newsletter.

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Update Your Email Address

To help you and your family stay connected to Columbia University and Parent and Family Programs, keep us informed when you change your preferred email address!

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Parent and Family Programs on Facebook

Be sure to visit our Facebook page for the latest campus news and happenings, photographs, videos, and stories! Facebook registration is not required - our page is open to all.

 

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Upcoming Events

Mar
21

Columbia College in London: A Conversation with Dean Valentini

May
20

Columbia Engineering Class Day 2013

May
21

Columbia College Class Day 2013

May
22

Columbia University Commencement 2013


Important Dates

Mar
18

Spring Break (March 18 - March 22)

Mar
25

Classes Resume

May
6

Last Day of Spring 2013 Classes

May
10

Final Exams Begin

May
17

Final Exams Conclude (Note: Please consult your student's final exam schedule before arranging transportation)

May
18

Residence Halls Close at 12:00 p.m. (Except for Graduating Seniors)

May
23

Residence Halls Close at 12:00 p.m. for Graduating Seniors

Aug
31

Residence Halls Open for Returning Students

Sep
3

First Day of Fall 2013 Classes

Oct
18

Family Weekend (October 18-20)

Nov
4

Fall Break (November 4-5)

Nov
6

Classes Resume

Dec
9

Last Day of Fall 2013 Classes

Dec
13

Final Exams Begin

Dec
20

Final Exams Conclude (Note: Please consult your student's final exam schedule before arranging transportation)

 

Resources


 

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Columbia University in the City of New York
601 Alfred Lerner Hall
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New York, NY 10027
212-854-2446

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