Inside...2-3 New Student Programs4 Upcoming Events5 General TAMU Resources

Welcome Family Members, Message from the Office of New Student and Family Programs

Aggie Quick Connection

A Publication for Aggie N

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by the Office of New Student and Family Programs

Howdy!

November is a time of mixed emotions on campus, especially for first-year students. Many exams and papers are due before Thanksgiving, and students have a feel for their standing in their classes after mid-terms. Students often express conflicting emotions about the long Thanksgiving break, and can be excited and anxious about going home for the long weekend, or disappointed at not being able to get home for the holiday. If your student is feeling especially stressed, help him/her tap into resources on campus (several of which are listed below).

Don’t forget to visit the Aggie Family web site for additional updates and helpful resources. You can visit us at http://parents.tamu.edu/. Please feel free to contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs at (979) 845-5826, or email us at nsp@tamu.edu if you have any questions.

Thanks and Gig ’em!

from Student Counseling Service Students new to Texas A&M are likely to have many adjustments to make during their first semester in College Station. Hopefully, most experiences will be positive; however, some difficulties are likely to be encountered. If your student experiences difficulty with the transition or too much stress, please remember that the Student Counseling Service is an excellent resource.

Some of the typical adjustment issues for new students are:

HomesicknessAcademicsRelationshipsSocial lifeFinances

It can be both exciting and scary to realize that your influence as a family member is moving to a different level. Your student will have much more autonomy in decision making, which means that some experimentation with different behaviors is normal. Hopefully your student will make wise choices that will help him/her to have a very successful first year at A&M. Please remember that the staff of the Student Counseling Service is available to help your student with any difficulties that may arise so that the first semester at A&M is as positive and rewarding as possible. You may contact us by calling (979) 845-4427. Students may register for academic, career, and personal counseling services on-line at http://scs.tamu.edu.

The SCS is funded primarily by the Student Service Fee. No user fees are charged except for certain testing services.

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How is Your Student’s First Year Experience?

November 2010 Aggie Quick Connection 1

New Student Programs

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Encourage your student to attend Amplify, a year-long series of programs and workshops designed to assist freshmen, transfer and sophomore Aggies develop skills and make them aware of resources that will enhance their Texas A&M experience. Some example sessions offered this semester include: Cooking on a Budget, Time Management and Procrastination, and Career Assessment Workshop: Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to Help Identify Personality Characteristics. Every program offered through Amplify is completely FREE so we hope your student will take advantage!

REGISTERING FOR AMPLIFY WORKSHOPSA reservation is required so that presenters can prepare the appropriate amount of materials and also to help track the programs students are most interested in so that we can refine our offerings in the future. Remind your student to go to http://amplify.tamu.edu, click on a workshop, and select “View Details to Register”. At any time students can view, manage or change the list of programs they are registered for by clicking on “My Profile.”

HOT TOPICS THIS MONTH (To view a complete and detailed listing of this semester’s workshops, please visit: http://amplify.tamu.edu/workshop.)

ACADEMICS:• Now You’re Speaking My Language: Talking With Professors --------------- Nov.1, 3-4pm• Finding A Balance ---------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 1, 3-4pm• Stress Management & Test Anxiety -------------- Nov. 2, 12:45 - 1:45pm / Nov. 17, 4-5pm • Smart Reading Strategies --------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 3, 4-5pm• Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) --------------------------------------------- --------- Nov. 4, 4-4:30pm / Nov. 10, 4:30-5pm / Nov. 16, 4-4:30pm / Nov. 22, 4:40-5pm• Study Success Strategies --------------------------- Nov. 8, 3-4pm / Nov. 23, 12:45-1:45pm• Time Management & Procrastination ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Nov.9, 2:20-3:20pm / Nov. 19, 11:30am-12:30pm• Presentation Skills ------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 15, 10-11am• Maintaining Focus ------------------------------------------------------ Nov. 15, 12:30-1:30pm

CAREER EXPLORATION:• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to Help Identify Personality Characteristics ----------------- --------------------------------------- Nov. 2, 2-3pm / Nov. 10, 11am-12pm / Nov. 15, 3-4pm• I’m Graduating: Now What? ------------------------------------------ Nov. 3, 12:30 - 1:30pm• Explore Majors and Careers with DISCOVER -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Nov.4, 11am-12pm / Nov. 17, 3:30-4:30pm• Strong Interest Inventory to Help Identify Career Interests --------- Nov. 4, 1:30-2:30pm• Ace Your Interview --------------------------------------------------------------- Nov.9, 5-6pm• Quality Customer Service ------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 15, 4-5pm• Using the Career Liftoff to Identify Potential Occupations ----------------- Nov. 16, 3-4pm• Controlling Anger and Angry People in the Workplace --------------------- Nov. 18, 2-3pm• Follow Your True Colors To The Work You Love ---------------------------- Nov. 30, 2-4pm

(Continued on Page 3)

2 Aggie Quick Connection November 2010

AMPLIFY: THE SUCCESS SERIES FOR STUDENTS

November 2010 Aggie Quick Connection 3

HOT TOPICS THIS MONTH (continued)

FINANCES:• Love and Money: What You Need to Know Before Getting Married -------- Nov. 3, 2-3pm / Nov.11, 12:30-1:30pm• Buying a Home ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 4, 12:30-1:30pm• Understanding Credit Cards and Credit Scores ------------------------------------------------------------ Nov. 4, 2-3pm• Financing Your Study Abroad ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 5, 12:30-1:30pm• Money Management for College Students --------------------------------------------------------- Nov.8, 3:20-4:30pm• Cooking on a Budget -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 10, 12:30-1:30pm• Buying a Car ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nov. 10, 1:45-2:45pm• Saving and Investing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 12, 1-2pm

SKILLS:• Dreamweaver CS4: Intro to Web Page Creation [I] Short Course ------------------------------------------- Nov.2, 2:30-4pm• Identity Theft ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov. 5, 1:30-2:30pm• Flash CS4: Introduction to Web Animations [Part I] Short Course ------------------------------ Nov. 10, 9-10:30am• Aggie Allies Advance Workshop ------------------------------------------------------ Nov. 14, 2-5pm / Nov. 18, 2-5pm• Introduction to Listserv Ownership Short Course -------------------------------------------------------- Nov.15, 3-5pm• Acrobat 9: PDF Forms Short Course ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nov.22, 9-10:30am• Access 2010 [I] Tables & Queries Short Course ---------------------------------------------------------- Nov.29, 1-3pm

UPCOMING DATESNovember 5 - Last day for all students to drop courses with no penalty (Q-drop). - Last day to change Kinesiology 198/199 grade type. - Last day to officially withdraw from the University. November 18 - Bonfire 1999 Remembrance Day. November 18-December 3 - Preregistration for 2011 spring semester. November 25-26 - Thanksgiving holiday.

SILVER TAPSSilver Taps is the final tribute paid to an Aggie who, at the time of his/her death, was enrolled in graduateor undergraduate courses at Texas A&M. We encourage all students to participate in this time-honoredAggie Tradition; it is a powerful and moving tribute to fellow students. During the academic year, it is amonthly event when needed.

The next Silver Taps ceremony will be conducted Tuesday, November 2, 2010, in memory of William (Wills) Ross Setzler IV. The memorial ceremony will be held at 10:30 p.m. in front of the Academic Building on the Texas A&M campus. For more information visit: http://studentaffairs.tamu.edu/sas/silvertaps.

UNSUBSCRIBE TO AGGIE FAMILY LISTSERVIf you no longer want to receive these electronic messages, you can unsubscribe by one of two ways: 1) Visit the online subscription page http://listserv.tamu.edu/cgi/wa?SUBED1=parents&A=1), fill out your e-mail address and name, but click ‘Leave the List’ instead of ‘Join the List’. 2) Send an e-mail to listserv@listserv.tamu.edu. Leave the Subject line blank. In the Body type UNSUB Parents. You should receive a confirmation e-mail stating that you have left the listserv. Please feel free to contact the Offices of New Student Programs at (979) 845-5826, or nsp@tamu.edu if you have any questions.

Upcoming Events and Programs

4 Aggie Quick Connection November 2010

AGGIE FOOTBALLAggie Football games can be exciting events for the entire family. The Aggies still have two games at Kyle Field this season (game times may change when televised):

- 11/06 vs. Oklahoma 6pm @ College Station - 11/13 vs. Baylor TBA @ Waco, Texas - 11/20 vs. Nebraska TBA @ College Station - 11/25 vs. Texas 7:00 p.m. @ Austin, Texas

More information about the football schedule, tickets, and Aggie athletics can be found at http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/tam-m-footbl-sched.html.

STUDY ABROAD GENERAL INFORMATION SESSIONWhy should your student attend Study Abroad Programs? Some of the skills that students commonly report after going on a study abroad are:

Gained independence • Broader understanding of people More well-rounded interculturally • Leadership skills More focused on academics • More self-reliance and independence Enhanced cultural awareness • Improved foreign language skills Confidence in accomplishing goals • Increased self-awareness Better research skills • More interest in history and geography

Encourage your student to attend the Study Abroad General Information Session on Tuesday, November 16 at 5:30PM in SBISA Quiet Room. Researching, planning, and financing a study, intern, research, and volunteer opportunity for all majors, freshmen through graduate students.

More information for family members can be found at http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/parents.asp. Contact Study Abroad Program Office at (979) 845-0544, or studyabroad@tamu.edu.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAMSThanksgiving is right around the corner! National trends indicate that the thanksgiving holiday is the first big spike in student’s drinking. When students go home for the holiday and meet up with old friends, they are likely to brag about their drinking behavior at their particular college and to excessively drink. This is also the first time college students will be home for an extended period of time after leaving for school. Discuss with your student about your expectation in terms of drinking behavior. Just saying “be safe” is not enough. Make sure your student knows what you expect from them. For more tips on how to talk to your student about alcohol: http://dsacms.tamu.edu/sites/studentlife.tamu.edu/files/ADEP_Parents-Guide-sm.pdf.

PANCAKES FOR PARKINSON’SAlpha Phi Omega, a recognized student service organization on campus, hosts and performs numerous service projects throughout the year and they will be hosting the first philanthropy event for TeamFox on November 6, 2010 before the University of Oklahoma Football game at Kyle Field. Pancakes for Parkinson’s, the official TeamFox student event, will consist of a silent auction and donation pancake breakfast. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research, as well as enhance the sense of community and selfless service already surrounding Aggie Game Day and serve up some delicious food. Family members of Aggies are key to the success of this event. Contact Stephanie Wedgeworth at smwedgeworth@gmail.com for more information.

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November 2010 Aggie Quick Connection 5

General TAMU ResourcesTRANSPORTATION SERVICES OFFERS FREE RIDE-SHARE Transportation Services reminds everyone that it offers a free ride-share service called AlterNet Rides. Go online to the Transportation Services website at http://transport.tamu.edu/parking/rideshare.aspx to look for others traveling to/from home, work or school – be it in the next county or throughout Texas – who may be able to share the ride, and post your own information so others can make contact.

CAREER CENTERVisit Career Center at http://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/parents/ for guides which are specifically designed for Aggie parents and family members. They will help you identify ways you can assist your Aggies in making career decisions, preparing for future careers, learning job search skills and conducting the job search: • Planning: A helpful guide for planning ahead • Majors and Careers: Researching for the future • Networking: Our networking guide for parents • Employability: Help your student become marketable • Gaining Experience: What experiential education can offer • Career Fairs: Advantages of attending career fairs • Graduate School: Is graduate school right for your student?

STUDENT MEDIATION AND LEGAL SERVICES Conflict is a part of life, and learning how to deal effectively with conflict is a life skill that we encourage. The Department of Student Life provides many resources for your student through our Student Conflict Resolution Services Office (SCRS). SCRS offers many tools for students to resolve conflicts or legal issues they may face such as roommate or landlord disputes, consumer protection, auto accidents, criminal charges, and other legal concerns. SCRS has a licensed attorney available to provide legal information and advice to students, and all services provided by SCRS are included in student service fees. Find out more about Student Mediation Services at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/scrs/mediation and Student Legal Services at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/scrs/sls/.

TEXAS A&M SCHOLARSHIPSScholarships are a great way to pay for your student’s college education. Scholarships are awarded on a variety of factors and do not have to be repaid. Last year, Texas A&M University disbursed $433 million in financial aid. Approximately $102 million of this total was in the form of scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of your student’s academic achievement, extra curricular activities, volunteer services, employment and on some cases financial need. Scholarships are designed to reward, encourage and assist your student in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles.

Scholarship opportunities vary according to your student’s classification at Texas A&M, so please encourage your student to view the scholarship information that applies him/her.

More detailed information is availale at https://scholarships.tamu.edu/tamu_scholarships.aspx. If you have any question, please call the Scholarship Office at (979) 845-3982 or email at scholarships@tamu.edu.