Webinars and Conversations

Packing lists, roommate communication, and move-in

In the coming weeks, you and your student will start to focus more on logistics: packing, travel arrangements to campus, and (eventually) communication with their roommate. Review the Housing Frequently Asked Questions, where you'll find information about cleaning in the residence halls, mail and packages, packing lists, and more. When your student knows who their roommate is, it's important to start communicating with each other, but also for you to talk about how living with someone outside their family is different, even if they are best friends. This topic will also be covered in August.

Disability accommodations

If your student needs accommodations for a disability, encourage them to connect with the Miller Center for Student Disability Services as soon as possible. The Miller Center offers multiple forms of support, and as a whole looks to make the college experience equitable for all students.

Student health insurance waiver/enroll

All full-time Oxford students must be covered by health insurance. Students are automatically enrolled into the Miami University insurance plan, but can waive the coverage (and premium) if they have other insurance coverage. The waiver must be completed each summer by early August or they will be enrolled and will be responsible for the cost. This waiver must be done each year a student is enrolled at Miami. Visit the Student Health Insurance page for more information and to access the waiver portal.

Fall tuition and fees invoices

Fall bills will be available in mid-July, and are due in early August. Notifications are sent to students' Miami email accounts. Payment plans are available.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• What are you most looking forward to about starting college? What aspect(s) of the transition make you nervous? This is a good place to briefly talk about what you're looking forward to and nervous/sad about related to their transition.
• What can I/we do to support your goals for this year - academic and social?
• How do you plan to stay in touch with your friends from home?
• Is there anything we need to be aware of that you are planning for August before leaving for school?

Fall semester move-in

Fall Move-In can feel chaotic, but we’ve got years and years of practice making it run smoothly. Review the Move-In page and the logistics will go well. We can’t however, make the emotional part easier, as much as we want to. You and your student should also review the helpful information located in the FAQ section of the Housing website. This site includes additional information useful in preparing your student for their transition to Miami.

Welcome Weekend and First 50 Days

Welcome Weekend refers to the first weekend that all new students are on campus. First 50 Days begins with the first day of classes, and continues through mid-October. These events are designed to provide new students information about opportunities and resources, and connect them with other new students and faculty and staff. To participate and register for events, students should download the Miami University Events App on their phone.

Fall Mega Fair and Getting Involved

Miami University has more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including service organizations, fraternities and sororities, academic and career-focused groups, and special-interest clubs. With so many options available for involvement, your student may find themselves overwhelmed learning about their choices. To discover which student organization(s) may be a good fit, encourage your student to attend Mega Fair and/or to connect with a Student Engagement and Leadership Ambassador.

Communicating with your student

Communicating with your student through their transition to Miami can be a challenge for many families. Below are suggestions for effectively communicating with your student as the semester begins:

• Discuss expectations for communication early - before they come to campus! This includes:
  • frequency
  • form of communication (phone, text, video call)
  • who will initiate the communication (you or the student)
  • Of course, this is flexible and will change throughout their time at Miami.
• Try new forms of communication.
• Ask about your student’s experiences on campus, be open and non-judgmental about their responses. They will likely try many new things, such as joining many organizations, only some of which become a regular part of their time at Miami.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• Have you connected with your roommate yet to both get to know each other and to talk about what they will each bring to the room?
• What clubs or organizations do you plan to get involved with on campus?
• When is the next time we will see each other after Move In? Do you plan to come home before Family Weekend?
• What are your goals for fall semester (and this year) and how do you want us to hold you accountable for reaching those goals?

Academic resources

All students have to adjust to the academic aspect of college. Whether the adjustment is related to managing their time, their study strategies, or content in a specific course, the Rinella Learning Center can help. Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction are crucial resources if your student is struggling with a class, or wants more support in a specific course. Tutoring is free and available to students based on subject area. Supplemental Instruction offers regularly scheduled peer support to students enrolled in historically difficult classes.

Family Weekend

Family Weekend is coming up next month. It's a great opportunity to see Oxford and visit your Miami student. The weekend is full of events across campus to give you a peek into your student’s life at Miami. Prepare yourself now - many times families arrive to find a person who looks or acts different than the one they dropped off in August. Sometimes, students have made plans with their friends during the weekend. Tread carefully, and remember - you want them to have friends here (but also to miss you too!).

Fall athletic events

Attending Athletic events is a great way for your student to get in the Miami spirit! Encourage your student to visit the Miami Athletics website to find schedules for fall teams and stream events live on their devices. Current Oxford students have free access to all home, regular-season athletic events. Go RedHawks!

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• How are classes going? What is going well so far, what may need adjustment?
• Do any of your classes offer Supplemental Instruction? Do you foresee needing a tutor for any classes?
• Are you getting involved on campus? What are clubs and organizations that you are interested in?
• How's the relationship with your roommate(s)? Are there any issues that you should address sooner, rather than later?

Midterm exams and assignments

As students move towards the halfway point in the semester, midterms begin for most classes. Midterms may not be one specific exam and often come in many different forms depending on the class. Projects, presentations, or exams are some common forms of midterms that your student may encounter. This can be a stressful time for students, as they draw from all of the information they have been learning the past months. If they are worried about exams, they should discuss support options with their professor, tutor, or peer study groups.

Wellness resources

Around this time in the Fall semester, stress and changing weather can lead to sickness and mental health challenges. To keep your student healthy, encourage them to visit a Flu Shot Clinic on campus or explore mental health resources available through Student Counseling Services.

FAFSA available for 2023-2024

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to receive needs-based financial support through the federal government. October 1 is the first date the FAFSA is available for the following academic year. For more information on FAFSA dates and deadlines, visit the FAFSA page on the One Stop site.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• What midterm assignments and exams do you have this month and how are you preparing to successfully complete them?
• What are you doing to keep yourself healthy as coursework gets busier? How's your exercise, eating, and sleeping going? Are you considering getting a flu shot this fall?
• What are you missing most about home that we can send or help you miss a bit less? Remember, missing the people and routines of home is completely normal.
• Have you made an appointment yet with your academic advisor to talk about next semester and your goals for your time at Miami?

Spring semester registration

Most first-year students register for spring classes in mid-November. To ensure that your student is prepared, share with them the following tips:

• Find your registration time ticket (their window of access to the registration system) in BannerWeb and mark your calendar.
• If you have not already done so, contact your advisor as soon as possible to discuss your planned classes for Spring. This should really happen before November. When you meet with your advisor, come with a plan of potential classes, as well as any questions. Preparing for the appointment ahead of time is key.
• Explore your Degree Audit (DAR) and determine which courses must be taken in spring and which requirements you'd like to fulfill.
• Look at the course list to find multiple options for each requirement/course. Have at least 2-3 backups for each.

Direct your student to the Registration Tips page for more information.

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break is a great time for your student to connect back to home and take a break from school work. Most students leave campus for the break (Tuesday at 10pm through Sunday). Points to consider so they have a successful journey home:

• How are you getting home? If transportation needs to be planned, start now and consult your class schedule.
• What do you need to bring home with you (chargers, laptop, etc.)?
• And possibly more important - what can you bring home to lessen the load in December?

Adjusting for their time at home

If your student comes home for Thanksgiving, the break is a good time to test boundaries with your student in preparation for Winter Break. Think about rules that were in place before they left for Miami- what may need adjusted and what may stay in place when they arrive back home in December? A good balance can be struck in your expectations by starting the conversation early.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• What has worked well for you, in terms of courses: times of day, stacking them all together or spacing them out? This can help them be successful next semester. Students must be flexible with their desired times (they will likely have to take an 8:30 a.m. class and have classes on Friday), especially as a first-year student.
• Are you considering making any other changes for spring semester, such as getting a job on campus? Now is a good time to start applying for open student positions.
• How will you balance family time, friend time, and taking a break for your health? What academic work can you complete before you leave campus?

Final Exams

Final Exam Week at Miami is a crucial time for your student to wrap up the semester. Exam schedules are published by the University Registrar, and may differ from your student’s normal class times. Final exam times are also usually listed on the syllabus for each course. To view the overall final exam schedule or solve a conflict related to overlapping exams or too many exams in one day, direct your student to the One Stop.

Finals support resources

There are multiple resources for your student during finals. Students should pay attention to events occurring in their residence hall and at the Armstrong Student Center, and they can also visit the HUB to view activities hosted on campus.

Winter Break Safety Tips

Most students will be away from Oxford for 5-6 weeks. We want them to take several (mostly common-sense) steps to protect themselves and their belongings while away. We've got two pages with break safety information:

• Miami University Police Break Safety page
• Off-Campus Outreach Safety Over Breaks page

Visit both of these and send the links to your student!

Greek life: Fraternities and sororities

Social Greek-letter organizations have a strong tradition at Miami, with almost 50 chapters on campus. Students are eligible to join a fraternity and sorority in the spring semester of their first year and recruitment registration opens in December. For more information, visit the Fraternity and Sorority Life site.

Winter Term

Miami's Winter Term is a short, optional inter-session term each January. Students often take advantage of this time to do what is not as easy to do during a fall or spring semester, such as taking a class they know will be difficult, working to earn some money, shadowing someone in their potental field of interest, or studying abroad. Visit the Winter Term site for additional information about options. Whatever your student does, making sure they are engaged with something will make the next few weeks at home much more pleasant for everyone.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• Do you know when all your final exams are and when final assignments are due? What is your plan to successfully complete them?
• What items do you plan to bring home for Winter Break and Winter Term? Have you started packing?
• What are your plans for Winter Term in January? Will you take a class, work, shadow a professional in your career field of interest? How can I help you with this plan?
• Are you considering joining a fraternity or sorority? What research have you done to help you decide?

Return to campus

By now, you may be used to having your student at home for Winter Break, right about the time they are preparing to return to campus. For some families, this is another transition like when you dropped them off in August. Spring semester is also the time when some students experience homesickness, after (finally!) coming to appreciate everything they have at home with their family. Both of these are completely normal.

Spring semester involvement

While your student may have already joined clubs or organizations on campus, continuing to explore the activities Miami offers is a great strategy to stay connected to campus. Direct your student to the Student Activities Events page and Miami's Events Calendar for more events or activities.

Student just not quite sure about their options? Are they in a leadership position in an organization and need help with various campus processes? Or, do they want to start a new organization? Our SEAL (Student Engagement And Leadership) Ambassadors are here for all of those reasons!

Winter Term and Spring Semester Career Development

Winter Term is a great time for students to spend some time on their career development, yes, even if they are a first-year student. We know that success starts with a plan and students can accomplish tasks their first and second years that will help them down the line. Tasks include engaging with Career Center workshops, updating their Handshake profile, and attending a Career Fair or Expo as an observer. Learn more about the Career Center. 

Off-campus housing search

Often during the spring semester of their first year, students feel pressure to think about or even sign a lease for their third year at Miami. This is a great option for many students, however, being fully prepared for this new responsibility is equally important before students sign a lease. To ensure that your student is prepared, have them review our Off Campus Outreach site.

Upcoming FAFSA deadline for next year

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to receive needs-based financial support through the federal government. The priority deadline for current Miami students is February 1. Visit the One Stop FAFSA page for more information.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• How're you feeling about returning to campus for spring semester? What are you looking forward to most?
• What student organizations or other activities do you plan to explore this semester?
  • How do you plan to get more deeply involved in the organizations you've already joined?
• What will you do differently this semester, academically and/or socially?
• What conversations do you need to have with your roommate to make sure you're both set up for a successful living situation this semester?

Winter Blues

As February arrives, winter has been with us for some months and can feel never-ending for some. Around this time, students may feel the effects of the long blue (or gray) winter and are eager for warmer weather. This is a great time to check in with your student. Reviewing the dimensions of wellness may help you formulate questions specific to your student.

Spring Break

With March approaching, spring break is often on the minds of students. Spring break is a time for students to take a break from academics and begin to prepare for the end of the semester. Encourage your student to take a pause from school work and connect with their friends and family.

Second-year Housing Process

As students get closer to the end of their first year, questions about where to live for their second year become popular on campus. There are many options available for your student, which can be found on the second-year housing site. As a reminder, Miami has a two-year live-on requirement for students.

Commencement

If you have a student graduating, this is the time more specific Commencement information is usually available to help you plan your student’s (and family's) special day. Visit the commencement site for more information.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• What are your plans for spring break next month?
• (Particularly for first-year students)Do you have a plan for housing next year on campus?
• How are you being intentional about your wellness?

Spring Midterms

As students move towards the halfway point in the semester, midterms begin for most classes. This can be a stressful time for students, as they draw from all of the information they have been learning the past months. If they are worried about exams, papers, or projects, they should discuss support options with their professor, tutor, or peer study groups.

Preparing for Summer

Summer is a time to take a break for students, but also seek opportunities that are not available during the academic year. Responsibilities such as jobs, internships, or summer term classes allow for your student to gain valuable experience that they can use to supplement their degree.

Alcohol Policies

As warmer weather arrives in Oxford, it can be helpful to remind your student of Miami’s Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Policies. We want students to be safe, and being informed on university policies ensures that students have information available to make positive choices as they move outdoors to enjoy the weather.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• What type of midterm exams, projects and assignments do you have this month and how are you preparing for them?
• What are your plans for summer?
  • What connections can your student use to gain experience, opportunities, or knowledge - including job shadowing?
  • How can your student make the most of summer, but also attend to their wellness and take somewhat of a break?
• How will you balance your coursework with the draw of warmer weather and outside activities?

Wrapping up the semester and moving out

The end of the spring semester is often full of banquets, final exams, and packing up their belongings. Encourage your student to start packing now, decreasing the stress of final exam week. For more information on the end-of-the-semester processes, explore the move out page.

Final Exams

Final exam week at Miami is a crucial time for your student to wrap up the semester. Exam schedules are developed by the University Registrar, and exam times often differ from your student’s normal class meeting times. Visit the One Stop final exams page to view the final exam schedule or solve a scheduling conflict.

Commencement

Commencement is an exciting celebration of graduating Miamians’ achievements! Whether your student is graduating this May or not, tune in and support students via the commencement website.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• Are you ready for finals? What resources are available on campus that can support you during finals week?
• What preparations do you need to start making for your summer internship or for moving home for the semester?

Change of major

Choosing (or confirming) a major can be a stressful decision for some, and simple for others. If your student is unsure about their major (whether they are undecided or looking to change), reassure them that this is normal and they should focus on their own educational timeline. Connecting with campus resources will help them with the decision. Encourage your student to visit the University Studies checklist for students.

Alumni Association

Even if your student’s time has come to an end at Miami, they can continue their connection to Miami through the Alumni Association. As a graduate, students are automatically members of the association and enjoy connection with a large alumni network around the world. For more information about the Alumni Weekend and other benefits, visit the Alumni Association site.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• How do you think this year went, overall? How about your classes and your engagement with academics? What about outside the classroom? What might you do differently next year?
• How confident are you in your choice of your area(s) of study? Are you focused on something that both interests you and is related to your post-Miami goals? If not yet, do you have ideas of what major(s) and/or minor(s) that interest you?

Summer in Oxford

Students enjoy Oxford so much that many choose to live in town over the summer. If your student is in town for the summer, encourage them to check out public parks, the new aquatic center, and even free yoga classes in the pavilion on Saturdays. Come visit your student and join in the fun, or see what is going on at the Enjoy Oxford site.

Conversation starters and questions to ask:

• How are you staying connected with your Miami community (friends, clubs, etc.)? How are you connected to campus?
• How are summer courses/jobs/internships going? How are you taking a break from academics?