Happy Holidays

UPCOMING EVENTS & INFO

Winter Break

December 19th-January 9th

Spring Thunder U Orientation

January 6th

(for students starting in January)

Spring Semester starts on January 9th

Reflect on the Semester

As your student returns home for the winter break, and after they have had some time to take a breath and relax, help them reflect on their semester. What were some of their wins and losses? What can they change to have a better experience and more success? This is also a good time for you to check in on their mental health, make sure they know the early signs of mental health problems, and what to do if they find themselves experiencing those things. Make sure they know what campus resources they have access to as well as community resources. It can be hard to talk about mental health but having these difficult conversations can help protect them when they need it the most.

Strengthen Your Relationship Over Winter Break

The goal is to learn how your student is adjusting to college life, let your student talk openly, and be there for them if they need you. This article gives some great insight on how to strengthen your relationship with your student including these tips:

Give space – and mean it.
Ask the important questions.
Invite, don’t demand.
Create the home base they want to come back to.

Here are some conversation starters:

Are you happy?
What was your favorite and least favorite part of learning this semester?
Which academic supports did you use this semester?
Tell me about your mental health this semester.
Have you made any close friends?
Is there anything on your mind you’d like to talk about?
How's your bank account holding up?

IS YOUR STUDENT STAYING IN CEDAR OVER WINTER BREAK?

Is Your Student Staying In Cedar Over Winter Break?

You can still catch up and have important conversations over the phone or video calls. If your student is looking for things to keep them busy, they can consider some of these things to do in the Southern Utah area.

Plan a ski or snowboard day
Check out the city lights and get a treat from the local shops
Go sledding or tubing
Dive into the art scene (Check out the murals downtown and SUMA)
See the holiday lights
Go to a movie
Take a hike in Zion or Snow Canyon where it's a little warmer
Make a photobook with highlights of the last year
Re-decorate your room
Volunteer in the community

Spring Parent Orientation

Friday, January 6th, 2023

We are excited to welcome our incoming students and their parents and families! Please come see us at our parent and family check-in on Friday, January 6th.

Parent & Family Orientation

9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Student Center Living Room)

New Student Induction

11:00-12:00 Great Hall (Ballroom, ST 145)

Bell Tower Tradition

12:00-12:15 (Bell Tower)

We are so excited to meet you. Please contact us if you have any questions.

435-865-8752 l parents@suu.edu

Spring Thunder U Student Schedule

Parent and Family Winter Weekend

February 17th-18th 2023

Friday, February 17, 2023

Parent and Family Check-In

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm The Nest, Sharwan Smith Student Center room 178

Come pick up your swag bag

SUU Men's Basketball Game vs. Utah Tech University

⁠7:00 pm⁠ America First Event Center, Sharwan Smith Student Center

⁠Join us for an exciting meet against Utah Tech University. Use the link our on website for discounted tickets. Students get in free with student ID.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Parent and Family Check-In

9:00 am - 11:00 am⁠ The Nest, Sharwan Smith Student Center Room 178

Come pick up your swag bag

Active Family Fun

9:00 am - 3:00 pm⁠, J.L. Sorenson P.E. Building⁠

Active families will love exploring our PE building. Favorites include racquetball, pickleball, swimming, & indoor track.
Free to all families of SUU students (Saturday only)

STEM Activity

10:00 am - 11:00 am Starlight Room, Sharwan Smith Student Center

All families are welcome to come to this free event put on by our STEM Center

SUU Women's Basketball Game vs. Stephen F. Austin

2:00 pm America First Event Center, Sharwan Smith Student Center

⁠Join us for an exciting game against Stephen F. Austin. Use the link on our website to purchase tickets. Students get in free with a student ID.

Bingo Night

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Ballroom, Sharwan Smith Student Center

Come join us for a fun night with the chance to win some prizes, all while enjoying time with your student and other t-bird families.

RSVP Here

HEADING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Shuttles:

St. George Shuttle- https://www.stgshuttle.com

Salt Lake Express- h ttps://saltlakeexpress.com

FLIX bus- https://www.flixbus.com/

Finding other students to carpool with:

Ask friends or roommates who are going in the same direction.

Wondering when to plan to travel home?

View the academic calendar here and the final exam schedule here.

If your student is flying home, make sure you look at the academic calendar and have shuttle schedules to get them to and from the airport in time.

FAFSA, Scholarships, & Financial Plans

Winter break is a great time to get started on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next academic year. By completing the FAFSA, students will be considered for grants, work-study, and loans. SUU Financial Aid has great tips for getting started and a link to the application on their website at suu.edu/finaid.

Scholarship Applications for current students including Departmental, Housing, Staff Association, and Graduating Class Gift opened November 1st. For a how-to video on applying for these scholarships, click here.

If your student needs help creating a financial game plan to get them through the school year, have them reach out to financialwellness@suu.edu to schedule a one-on-one appointment to help make their budget last.

STUDENT RESOURCES

The following resources are available to all SUU students, please encourage your student to utilize the resources that would be helpful to them. To see the full list, click here.

Tutoring Center- drop-in tutoring, study groups, and one-on-one tutoring. Students can also work with a tutor to improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and time management.
Tutoring Center Online Resources- includes videos, worksheets, and links to help students improve study skills, test-taking strategies, and study strategies.
Writing Center- resources and opportunities to encourage successful writers across all disciplines. Their webpage includes tips for writing and online appointment scheduling.
Speech and Presentation Center- assists students in the writing and presentation of speeches.
Student Support Services- developmental classes, skills courses, and academic and tutoring support for students who are first-generation, first-time, low-income, ESL, non-traditional, or have physical or learning disabilities.
Disability Support Center- support and services for students with disabilities who are overcoming different educational difficulties because of their individual challenges. Coordinate campus accommodations and access to services.
Gerald R. Sherratt Library- quiet study areas, print papers, get research help, reserve a study room, use a computer, make copies, check out calculators, Ipads, and books.
Visit Professor- office hours are posted days and times a professor will be available in his/her office to meet with students and answer questions. Office hours are listed on the class syllabus, which students can view in Canvas. Students should come prepared with specific questions or concerns related to the class. Professors want their students to take advantage of this time. They are the ones that create the content of the course so please encourage your student to go if they aren't understanding the material.
Schedule a meeting with their ACE (peer mentor). Stop by the Nest, Student Center room 178, visit the Nest website, or call 435-865-8752 with any questions, or to find out who their ACE is.
Form a study group with peers from the class.
Reach out to their Academic Advisor for support, and guidance in creating schedules, and preparing for graduation.
Schedule a Career Assessment with the Career Center to explore strengths and career pathways.
If your student is struggling with mental health issues, they can reach out to CAPS for counseling, group therapy, workshops, and additional support.