This post was written by a member of the Texas A&M Parent and Family Advisory Council. All members of the advisory council are parent or family members of current Texas A&M University students.
Often, we find that incoming Texas A&M University students and their families experience information overload during the weeks leading up to the start of the semester. Whether your student is moving to Aggieland from only an hour away or coming from out-of-state, it can be a stressful experience as students prepare for their big move to Aggieland. As family members, we know you want to support students in this transition, and our Parent and Family Advisory Council members are here to help! Below are responses from out-of-state and in-state parents about their experiences with the transition into Aggieland.
How did your family navigate the information overload during August?
“Once the decision is made to attend TAMU, it is crucial for your student to keep up with actions in their Howdy Portal checklist so they can complete the steps and get those things out of the way. Things like shot records, photos for their student ID, and final transcripts should be done before summer’s end so you can focus on all of the final details coming your way around moving in and starting school. Attending your NSC is also key to helping you understand what move-in, Howdy Week, and the first day of school will be like. Checking your emails daily and having frequent communications with your student will be key to keeping up and planning so you don’t get overwhelmed. TAMU has so many resources available, be sure to utilize them.” – Out-of-State Parent
“Preparation for the big move to campus was, at times, both thrilling and exhausting. The amount of information coming in was a lot, but we separated each part and ensured that our student played an integral part in it. Often, we had to ask for updates on the emails he received and encouraged him to pay close attention. We found that breaking down each topic and discussing them separately helped. For instance, when preparing for move-in day, we discussed what we already had and needed to purchase. He also communicated with his future roommates to ensure they were not purchasing duplicates of items (such as microwaves). For Howdy Week, we ensured he saw what activities were happening and encouraged him to go. And finally, just letting him drive the conversations. It is overwhelming, and while, as parents, we want to plan every detail, we have to realize that this is a major life change for our students, and they can easily become overwhelmed. Support them, encourage them, and most importantly allow them to make most of the decisions.” – In-State Parent
What did you find worked well or didn’t work as you prepared your student for navigating move-in, Howdy Week, and the first day of class?
“Coming from outside of Texas, we felt it very important to have a detailed plan for the move. We made lists and procured things she would need for her room well in advance. We were surprised at the number of things she needed to begin life on her own! We got items such as sheets and towels, boxed them, and then labeled them in anticipation of the move. We made the move a few days before Howdy Week so she would be settled and could participate in the events. We found renting a VRBO with a garage helpful to have a place to work out of while getting her fully settled. Once we had her stuff set up and her roommate arrived, things started to fall into place, creating the perfect time for us to leave. Once Howdy Week started, our daughter found the events helpful as they provided information in a fun format and created an opportunity to meet fellow students. I highly suggest you encourage your Aggie to participate in as many events as possible. And just like that, it was the first day of school! To prepare, we had our Aggie print/read her class syllabuses and walk her schedule before the first day. Knowing where the buildings were and how far it was to her next class helped alleviate some anxiety on that first day. If your student is living off-campus, make sure they allow at least an hour to find parking and get to the first class during the first month or so. The traffic will ease up as the semester settles in!” – Out-of-State Parent
“As we got closer to move-in, we sensed some angst and quickly realized that we needed to take a break and not talk about all that comes with the big move. It worked! We allowed him to drive the conversations then, knowing that we were there to support him and run out to get those last-minute things as soon as he let us know, but the barrage of questions would cease (for the most part 😊). This approach allowed our student to consider all the pending items and direct where he needed us to support him. Upon move-in, we allowed him to schedule what he was interested in attending, telling him about things we had seen posted on social media but allowing him to determine if it was important enough to consider. He transitioned quickly and easily, but this approach gave him the confidence to know that he was prepared and ultimately in control. He also knew where Target was in case he needed something (that we likely mentioned he might need). He walked his classes before the first day, knew where parking was and how to best get to and from various places (bike/car/walk), and just enjoyed the newfound independence and freedom!” – In-State Parent
What was the most rewarding part of your student’s start of their college journey?
“Seeing your child follow their dream is very rewarding. It is the culmination of all of their hard work and determination coming into reality. As an out-of-state parent, it was hard knowing that my daughter would be so far away but seeing her excitement and seeing her stretch her wings and fly was wonderful.” – Out-of-State Parent
“Most rewarding for our student was realizing that we had helped get him started and prepared, but he was succeeding on his own. College is a huge transition, and there are many things to balance. Still, our student quickly met friends through his dorm and got involved in a couple of organizations that ultimately led to study groups and multiple friends in classes that could depend on each other. He was confident because he was adequately prepared, and despite a couple of early challenges navigating college vs. high school coursework and grading, he is thriving being at A&M, having found his place and knowing that it is where he is supposed to be.” – In-State Parent
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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