newsletter

1parentandfamily@txstate.edu 512.245.4326

Parent & FamilyMay 2015

Dates & DeadlinesMay 4 Last Day of Classes

May 5 Finals Begin

May 7-13 Residence Hall Checkouts

May 13 Finals End

May 13 Residence Halls Close

May 14-16 Commencement

May 19 Grades Available (12pm)

May 25 Last Day for Summer Registration

May 27 Summer I New Student Move In On Campus

May 28 Summer 2015 Payment Due Date

Summer and Fall Registration Continue

TxState Home Housing Student Business Services Registrar

Performances, events & Sports

May 4 BFA Thesis Exhibition 3

May 6 Sun Belt Conference Softball Tournament

May 8 US Mexico Oil and Gas Business Export Conference May 9 Arkansas State vs. Texas State Baseball

May 18-23 LeaderShape

Academic Calendar

Congratulations to our May graduates!!

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HousingHousing Student Business Services

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San Marcos Construction

Summer Jobs and Internships

Just a reminder, Registration for summer and fall is currently open!

Academic Calendar

Academic CalendarHousing

Moving Out ChecklistThe time is nearing for many of your students to move out of the Residence Halls or apartments, and we have a few helpful tips to make it a smooth transition.

For those students moving out of apartments, make sure to deliver a notice to vacate letter to the landlord within the required time stated in the lease. Failure to do so within the allocated time could result in penalties and fees.

If you want to hire a mover, make sure to check around for the best price. Odds are your friends or family have used a local service before and can make recommendations. Don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself! Ask family and friends for help, offering a free meal is always great incentive.

Upon moving out, make sure to take photos or a video of your empty unit. You can also ask the apartment manager to complete a walk through with you. Doing a walk through a few days before move out can give you the opportunity to fix any damages.

Always be sure to completely and thoroughly clean your rental or residence hall!

Visit the Department of Housing and Residential Life page for a more thorough move out checklist, as well as further tips on how to recieve your security deposit back.

Beginning in May, the Texas Department of Transportation will begin a $20.73 million construction project on Aquarena Springs Drive.

The project includes plans to build an overpass across the train tracks on Aquarena Springs Drive near Bobcat Stadium.

Anyone who lives in San Marcos can probably attest to the congestion caused by the trains, with tracks crossing all exits out of the city towards I-35. If a train is stopped on the tracks, the only exit point to I-35 is the Wonder World Drive overpass on the southside of San Marcos. The new overpass will greatly improve the mobility and safety of the more than 30,000 daily vehicle trips on Aquarena Springs.

Please be aware of this long-term construction project if your student plans to live on or near Aquarena Springs Drive, and as you visit San Marcos.

Visit the City of San Marcos page for more information.

If your student is returning home for the summer, you might be asking yourself what they could or should be doing with all of their free time. Some of your Bobcats might be returning to a summer job, while others may be left wondering how to fill their days.

Internships offer your student a multitude of benefits. The most obvious might be the simple fact that they are getting a foot in the door with a potential employer. Aside from that, it essentially provides the opportunity to sample a career. Does this job really make me happy, or would I be happier doing something else?

Internships also provide your student with the chance to network and establish relationships with mentors. A mentor can help your student set goals and coach them on how to achieve those goals. A mentee will also benefit from the wisdom and learning of the past experiences of their mentor.

Have your students assess which skill sets they may need more experience in, and target an internship that can help to build on those skills. Having an internship on your student’s resume will increase their chances of landing a job after graduation. Career Services offers free support including resume and cover letter building, job and internship locations, and advice for the interviewing process.

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Renew your Family Association Membership! Not a member? Join today!

Family Association has been helping Bobcat families stay connected to their students since 1976. Benefits for Family Association membershipinclude invitations to special events, volunteer opportunities, advanced registration and discounted tickets to university events, a subscription to the university’s award-winning magazine Hillviews and E-newsletters.

For more information on membership or to join, please visit the Family Association page.

Just as you and your students encountered adjustments and challenges when they moved out to attend Texas State, you and your student may experience additional adjustments andchallenges as they move back home for summer break. We would like to provide you with a few helpful strategies for a successful transition back home.

Your student has been working hard these past few weeks preparing for finals, and may return home physically and emotionally exhausted. Give them an opportunity to rest, sleep and eat good food before expecting them to jump right in to socializing.

Your student has also experienced more independence at school, with fewer restrictions on where and when they want to go somewhere, when to sleep and when to eat. Will you require a curfew? Does your Bobcat need to do chores while living back at home? Everyone in the home will need to communicate with one another and set clear expectations.

Be aware that you may also experience shifting dynamics between siblings. Younger siblings may have now moved up to “oldest child” status, or you may have reappropriated your student’s room while they were away.

Plan ahead, communicate openly and directly with your student, and expect to make some adjustments. If you recognize the changes in your student, you will be better equipped to adjust and enjoy the experience of having your Bobcat back at home.

Bobcat Bond New Mentor/Mentee Orientation