UT Martin Parents and Families

I see you. Tired and emotional mom. Quietly reflective dad. Nostalgia, new questions, new fears, new joys, new routines are all unlocked now.

You’ve entrusted your child to UT Martin. It all looked good on paper, but now it is very real. Was it a good decision? Will she find her people here? Will he do all the things you advised him to do? Will the faculty and staff really take care of your child like they said they would? Those apprehensions are valid and real. You’re the parent and this is your child. I see you.

UT Martin is what and who we claim to be. Perfect? No. Striving to challenge and support our students along the way? Yes. Holding them accountable to the community and academic standards? Yes. Removing all obstacles? No. Well, sometimes. Sometimes we can and will remove an obstacle for them. Sometimes they need encouragement and tools to conquer that obstacle themselves.

We are glad your child is here. We are glad you are here. This will be a long race, and we are here for it.

Move-in Day is in full swing!

Thank you for following the tips that have been shared with you. Here is the final two as we prepare for move-in tomorrow:

1. (This is a sensitive one). Consider your parting words as you leave campus following move-in. Regardless of the stress, sarcastic comebacks, and impatience that may have been on full display, let your parting words that day be kind and loving. Your children will remember your messages and hold on to them… even if they roll their eyes.

2. Maintain a sense of humor. A little levity is usually a positive thing. You can remember when they were small and some things you just had to laugh at because there was no other choice. One day you can laugh at some of the stories and memories together.

We are getting closer! Here are a few more tips to share:

1. Today’s tip is a pro-packing tip. When you load the car, truck, van, U-Haul, horse trailer, or whatever your family is bringing, keep essential items on top and easy to locate for quick use. Things like toilet paper, soap, paper towels, etc. That’s because you do NOT want to have to search for those things when they are needed immediately.

2. Students are excited and you are excited (perhaps for different reasons). Remember this is a process. They do not become mature college students overnight. Four months ago, they had to raise their hands to go to the bathroom, and now they are being asked to make lifelong career decisions. It is a process. It takes time to learn how to study, how to play, how to do laundry, how to handle money, and how to manage ourselves. Some lessons will be learned by trial and error, just like many of us did when we were learning to be adults. “You can do this. You belong here” are powerful words.

Happy Monday! This is such an exciting week. Here are today’s tips to consider as we approach move-in day:

1. Send them hard mail such as handwritten notes and cards, care packages, photos, and newspaper clippings. You may think they don’t care about this, but they value these gestures! They will keep them, and these items will become part of their college memorabilia collection. You may even still have one of these collections of your own! So be sure to get their mailing address before you leave campus.

2. Plan your visit to campus ahead of time. Last-minute or unannounced visits may or may not be welcomed. Give your student time to prepare for you. You may also need to plan for hotel availability, such as Family Weekend and Homecoming. You can bring a surprise with you – food, money, clothes…those are always appreciated. But be sure to give you and your student plenty of time to prepare for those visits.

See you Thursday!

Move-in day is next week! Here are some tips to think about as move-in day approaches. More tips are on the way, and here are the first three:

1. Have your student write down important telephone numbers (yours, neighbors, grandparents, etc.). Phones get lost, get wet, passwords are forgotten, and batteries die. Phone numbers are less likely to be memorized today because of smart phones. Write down important numbers in case they need to reach you but are without the use of their phone.

2. Keep health insurance information in an accessible place. Life happens…injury, sickness, emergency care…be sure they can locate your health insurance information quickly. You may be unavailable when life happens, and you want them to get attention as soon as they can.

3. Remind them they belong here:

You Belong Here! Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Having a child in college may be new territory for you, and you may be wondering what you’re supposed to do now. Does UTM want me to stay away and just let go? Not at all! UTM wants you to stay connected to your students and to us. Students need your support – call, text, and write. Let them know you are there as you give them room to find their own space and create their life in college. Remind them of your love for them. Remind them of their ability to be successful. Remind them to use the resources that are all around them.

We want you to come back and see us!

Martin’s Grassroots Soybean Festival is September 8-12: https://www.martinsgrassrootssoybeanfestival.com/

Family Weekend is October 17-18: https://www.utm.edu/visit-ut-martin/family-weekend.php

Homecoming is October 31: https://alumni.utm.edu/homecoming/

There is lots to do in Weakley County and in Northwest TN, so come see us: www.weakleycountychamber.com/tourism
https://nwtntourism.com/

This summer at SOAR we talked about the five truths parents and family members need to know. They were true this summer and they are true now. Here they are:

1. We want your students to succeed almost as much as you do.
2. Students are never expected to do this alone.
a. Your students will have to ask for help.
3. You matter.
4. College is not high school and cannot be treated the same way.
5. College happens inside and outside of the classroom.

We are partners with you during this transition.

Classes start less than two weeks and it’s all starting to feel real, isn’t it? Students go through lots of changes in those 6-7 months between high school graduation and Christmas break. So will you. Some of those changes are obvious and others may sneak up on you. Big transitions (like going to college) are both logical and rational and emotional and sometimes irrational. There is a concept called “The Elephant and the Rider.” Watch this short video and you’ll see what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9KP8uiGZTs

The RIDER is the intellect, the cognitive control center, that intelligent, highly functioning thing that has it all together. Think of dates, details, and procedures. The ELEPHANT represents the emotions wrapped up in this transition and those emotions shift/change as the transition progresses. Most of the time we can keep our emotions in check and direct them the way they should go. However, there are times when the elephant will go in any direction at any speed regardless of the commands of the rider. Pay attention to your emotions and your student’s emotions during this transition. Sometimes the elephant (emotions) may be in control more than they will admit or even realize.

If you have a question or concern about how your student is transitioning, call the Student Conduct and Care Office at 731.881.7703.

The Elephant, The Rider and the Path - A Tale of Behavior Change A commonly held belief is that human behavior is the result of rati...

Living on campus is wonderful and can be a big adjustment. Be sure you are ready! The Office of Residence Life & Housing has a "Future Students" page that contains lots of information, including requirements, move-in checklists, the Housing Handbook, and much more!

https://www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/residence-life-and-housing/future-students.php

Move-in begins at 8:00 am on Thursday, August 20. That afternoon there is a Welcome Home Picnic at 5:00 pm and we invite you to join your students there.

Make sure your students are checking their UTM email accounts for the most up-to-date information on Move-in and all Welcome Weekend activities.