This page is is our guide to supporting your student throughout the academic year! Throughout the year, your Raven will face different parts of the university experience for the first time. The Student Clock will help you prepare to guide them through these experiences.
Undergraduate Calendar
The Undergraduate Calendar is your student’s official resource for all their academic requirements for their degree or program as well as Carleton’s admission and academic rules and regulations. The Calendar is also a great source of important dates and deadlines that your student will need to be aware of. As parents, this will be an important resource for you to be aware of. If your student is confused by their program requirements or about upcoming dates and deadlines, you should direct them to here.
Late Summer
The transition from high school to university, or to an upper year, can be overwhelming for many students. Before your student starts a new year, exploring new classes and ideas, resources and student life available at Carleton, make sure to support them through any nerves or feelings of doubt they may be having.
Whether they are moving into residence, off-campus housing or continuing to live at home, meeting a new roommates and classmates can be both an exciting and stressful time for your student. It’s important to stress communication so that they can learn how to live and learn together as they adapt to these new challenges.
Now is a good time for your student to…
- Review their registration and academic audit to confirm that all courses are meeting their degree requirements.
- If your student is entering first year, encourage them to join CU 1001 – Your Start to Student Life at Carleton and sign up for Fall Orientation activities
- Explore the mental health and wellness resources available
Starting the Fall Term
While the start of the term is an exciting time, students should keep in mind classes do gain momentum quickly. If they are struggling to adjust to new academic demands, the First Year Connections program and the Center for Student Academic Success (CSAS) offer support resources to help your students meet their goals.
After a relaxing summer, your student may be having difficulty balancing their personal, academic, and social lives. Continue to be there for your student during potential homesickness, getting accustomed to – or readjusted to – campus life and new academic standards. There are many resources on campus to help your student that you can direct them to.
Now is a good time for your student to…
- Purchase or rent their textbooks for the term from the Carleton Bookstore.
- Look into peer mentorship programs provided by the Student Experience Office (SEO) in order to help students transition into university life.
- Encourage your student to join the Online Student Success Module to learn more about how they can be successful in online courses.
- Visit their professors during office hours for extra support.
End of the Fall Term
At this point, students can begin viewing their official examination schedule for the fall term finals and fall/winter mid-terms. Classes end in early December. Exams typically occur seven days a week and students may have multiple exams in a short period of time, or may have days between exams or final assignments. To ensure you are supporting your student during the stress of exams encourage them to check out the Carleton Mental Health and Wellness website for additional support.
Your student may be feeling like they pushed themselves too hard during the fall term. They may have consistently stayed up too late or not gotten enough rest. Encourage them to take care of their health and make sure they are eating properly, exercising and getting enough sleep.
Now is a good time for your student to…
- Take advantage of exam preparation workshops at the Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS).
- Explore the Wellness Services Navigator for a confidential and curated list of mental health and wellness resources on campus and in the community.
- Make sure to take breaks and get active at Carleton Athletics Fitness Centre, CUFit pass and classes and intramural leagues.
Early Winter Term
January can be a busy month as students return from winter holidays to start the new term. After a well-deserved break, it’s also an ideal time for students to begin planning ahead for their summer term, whether that be thinking of classes to enrol in, looking for summer employment or off-campus housing.
With winter break approaching and midterm examinations soon after, encourage your students to balance their academic studies with stress-reducing activities. If your student is concerned about the approaching mid-terms, suggest that they take advantage of Carleton’s various academic supports.
Now is a good time for your student to…
- Start looking into where they will be living next year.
- Explore their access to counselling through Wellness Services Counselling or Empower Me Counselling Services.
- Determine whether they will be pursuing a co-op or gaining other career experiences based on their program.
- Students in PASS supported courses can meet with PASS facilitators and participate in workshops.
End of the Winter Term
The students get to spend much of March enjoying the increasing warmth of early spring and preparing for their final examinations in April, yet spring is a busy time academically for your student. Many of their final assignments and papers will be due during this time. Encourage them to start early and plan their time. Encourage your student to check out the various workshops the Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS) offers to help them plan their time. Registration for summer classes typical opens at the end of March.
With final exams approaching, encourage your student to continue to maintain a balanced lifestyle and to reach out to professors, teaching assistants or classmates if they need help with the materials. Encourage them to contact CSAS to get tips on how to study and prepare for exams. For some first-year students, it’s possible that the end of the term is first time they write large university exams. You can also encourage your student to participate in a Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) or mock exam review session if it is available for their course(s).
Now is a good time for your student to…
- Take time to refresh and recharge before exams. Encourage them to take advantage of the health and wellness resources that meet their needs
- Check their exam schedule in the Carleton Mobile app.
- Contact Career Services for resume and cver letter reviews for summer job applications.
The university experience differs from student to student. During transitions from year-to-year, students will gain independence as they move away from campus and into a new environment. Be prepared to support your student through stressful discussions on finances, rights and responsibilities.