This post was written by a member of the Texas A&M Parent and Family Advisory Council. All members of the advisory council are parents or family members of current Texas A&M University students.
Family Weekend is right around the corner, so start planning now!
The Parent & Family Advisory Council has come together to share five tips and tricks to get the most out of your weekend in Aggieland.
- Plan early!
- Make your hotel/AirBnB/VRBO reservations early (some people do this one year in advance!) Hotels fill up fast for Family Weekend with all the events that bring people to town. Be cautious when booking with AirBnB/VRBO, some families have had issues with their reservations being canceled.
- Plan out your meals in advance. Either make restaurant reservations ahead of time or plan to eat at home. There is a significant increase in the number of people in Aggieland during Family Weekend, leading to longer wait times.
- Involve your student
- Check the Family Weekend dates in advance and know that many of the student organizations on campus will have events during Family Weekend. Talk with your students about their Family Weekend plans and know that many events will overlap. Planning with their input is better than being surprised once you get to Family Weekend.
- Some student organizations don’t plan their events until the last minute. It is better to plan on being in town that weekend a few months in advance rather than rushing a week before Family Weekend. You can find the schedule on the Family Weekend website.
- Be ready for large crowds
- As we mentioned, there is a significant increase in the number of people in town during Family Weekend. Just like you they are excited to visit their student and experience campus life.
- Be patient and gracious, Family Weekend is intended not only for you to spend time with your family but the entire Aggie Family! Family Weekend is a great time to make new friends and build your own network within the Aggie Family.
- Keep Texas weather in mind
- April can bring a variety of weather in Texas. Rain showers, heat waves, or an arctic blast can all happen… sometimes all in the same weekend!
- Keep the weather in mind when packing for your weekend in Aggieland. It may be hot outside but cold in many of the buildings and auditoriums. We recommend layers so you can adapt to the environment.
- Parking during Family Weekend
- As your student may have shared with you previously, parking can be frustrating on normal days. Add in a couple of thousand extra people unfamiliar with campus and you are just asking for trouble. Again, plan ahead, arrive early for events, and be patient!
- Texas A&M Transportation has details on its website for parking and transportation during Family Weekend. Make sure to review this before trying to park on campus!
We can’t wait to see you during Family Weekend! Our council members will be out and about with our own families enjoying all Aggieland has to offer. If you have any questions, find a Student Life - New Student & Family Programs staff member, contact their office at familyprograms@tamu.edu, or find one of our council members!
If you have a question for the Aggie Parent and Family Advisory Council or if you have a suggestion for future content that the Advisory Council should cover, please fill out the form at: tx.ag/QuestionsandSuggestions
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