LINK - Learning and Interacting with New Knights

"Before you move in"
*For questions regarding UCF as a whole, the UCF application process, application deadlines, or your student’s particular application, you can contact the UCF Undergraduate Admissions Office.

*Be sure to sign up for and attend an orientation. Orientation will guide parents and students through the necessary procedures to enter your student’s first year in confidence. During orientation, parents and students will be split up and an Orientation Team member will give you much needed information regarding housing, meal plan, and paying for your student’s first year. For more orientation, visit http://orientation.ucf.edu/.

*During Orientation, your student will register for his/her first semester of classes. This is a very important process and the variety of classes that your student takes, along with the number of credit hours, can be crucial to a successful year. A good way to start off is to have your student register for one or two classes related to his/her major and then filling the other slots with General Education classes, such as ENC 1101. For class schedules and other registration information, visit http://my.ucf.edu.

*Orientation will provide tours of certain housing communities on campus. Alternative tour times are available, along with Virtual Tours and layouts of rooms in several communities; these can be found at http://www.housing.ucf.edu.

“Moving in and Relating to the UCF Campus”
*If your student is living on campus, move in dates should be relayed to them via his/her housing assignment. These dates can also be found at http://www.ucf.edu/toplinks/academic_calendar.html. If your student is living off campus, move in dates can be secured through the individual housing community.

*As with any new place, your student’s new residence will need a few items to make it comfortable. Suggested items include a microwave, refrigerator, foam egg-crate to cover a hard mattress, trash can, and laundry hamper. Be sure to leave your student with any household items he/she may need throughout the semester. Time flies during the semester, especially at exam times, and students may not have time to go out and buy more laundry detergent, printer paper, etc.

*Meals are a very important part of the college experience. After all, who can study with an empty stomach? If your student is residing in an apartment or house where there is a kitchen, you may wish to have them buy groceries and cook for themselves. If your student is living in a residence hall, they do not have direct access to a kitchen, although a community kitchen is provided on campus. Real Food On Campus provides meal plans of all sizes and serves a variety of foods morning, afternoon and evening for your student’s every gustatory wish! More information on Real Food On Campus can be found at http://www.ucfdining.com.

*The first week of school can be frustrating, especially finding your way around a large, new campus. A good tip is to print out your student’s first semester schedule and then take a tour of the campus, locating the buildings in which he/she will be taking classes. This makes the first week less confusing and stressful, allowing your student to focus on assignments instead of whether or not he/she is in the right building. A map of the campus, along with a guide to the building’s names and abbreviations can be found at http://campusmap.ucf.edu.

*The week prior to the start of your student’s fall semester is when the LINK Program holds its LEAP-In Excursions. These trips give students a chance to meet their peers and become more familiar with their surrounding community while enjoying an educational experience. Faculty members lead these excursions and students are given an opportunity to interact with professors and advisors outside of the classroom setting.

*Beginning in July, parking decals are available for the upcoming school year. If your student plans to park on campus, he/she will need a student parking decal. Though some housing communities may have specific decals for those parking lots, commuting students should purchase the regular green student parking decal. This, along with other information about on-campus parking, can be found by visiting Parking Services.

*Now that your student is away at college, there may not be time to talk on the phone everyday. A good way to keep in touch is to create a calling schedule by setting aside a day of the week and time where your student will call and update you on how they are doing. This allows you be included in their lives without seeming overbearing. E-mail is another communication option that may be more conducive to a student’s schedule.
“Letting Your Student Grow”
*Send your student letters, cards, or packages to let them know that you’re thinking about them. Everyone loves to get mail, and a package of goodies can brighten even the worst of days. Sending notes allows you to show your student that you care without distracting him/her from studying or socializing. If your student lives on campus, you have the option of sending birthday or finals treats, too.

*When your student has a long weekend or a holiday coming up, many parents jump to ask when he/she coming home to visit. Know that your student is making new friends and experiencing new things, some of which may keep them at school or take them to a friend’s house for a long weekend. Try to understand that he/she may not want to come home at every possible chance.

*When missing your child, make plans to come and visit! Many students enjoy a “weekend with the folks” to relax and catch up. This also allows your student to show you how he/she is becoming acquainted with people on campus and the area around the university. Certain weekends are set aside by the university for parents to come visit their students. These weekends are filled with events that you and your student can enjoy together! Parents’ Weekend is generally held during the fall semester, near the date of Homecoming.
“Being There”
*As a parent, you are an important part of your student’s life. He/she will look to you for encouragement and help in making decisions. Allowing your student to experiment with independence is a crucial part of helping him/her get ahead in the college experience.

*Encourage your student to get involved in the campus community. There are various programs and organizations that are designed to catch your student’s interests, no matter what they may be. It has been proven that students involved in school activities are more likely to stay in school, so keeping your student involved can help their academics as much as it can their social life. To find out more about student organizations and activities, you can visit the websites for the Office of Student Activities, Greek Life, LINK, and Alternative Spring Break (ASB).

*If your student is having trouble coping with being away from home, a long distance relationship, making new friends, or any other issue, refer them to the UCF Counseling Center. The Counseling Center has trained professionals and programs that can help your student deal with any emotional or social issue that may arise. Counseling and related programs are free for UCF students. For more information, see http://www.counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/.

*Everyone has a certain class or subject that they need extra help in. If your student is having trouble in academics, SARC ( Student Academic Resource Center) provides tutoring and subject-specific interest sessions to give your student the extra assistance they might need to learn and succeed. Find more information at http://sarc.sdes.ucf.edu/.

*Other resources your student might find helpful are the University Writing Center, Career Resource Center, UCF Library, First Year Advising and Exploration, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, UCF Bookstore, Cashier’s Office, UCF News & Information, Undergraduate Studies, Student Legal Services, University Testing Center, Student Disability Services, Office of International Studies, UCF Card Office, and Office of Student Conduct.