Parent Weekly Newsletter 9/14

Fall 2007, Issue #2

Biola University, Office of Parent Relations, 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639 / (800) 99-BIOLA / (562) 906-4535
Colleen Heykoop, Manager / Mallory Rae, Service Coordinator

Greeting

Adjusting to College Life

A number of parents have contacted our office in the past week, expressing deep concern for their students who are experiencing difficulties adjusting to college life. For some, it’s the newness of dorm life and not feeling connected. For others, it’s feeling overwhelmed by the higher level of academics. For many, it’s the challenge of having to handle so much change all at once. Whatever it may be, the transition to college is challenging. I want to encourage you as parents to not panic. I know that’s a tall order, especially right after you’ve had a conversation with your panicking student! Instead, let me offer some suggestions that might help you help your student.

Probably the most difficult thing for a parent to hear is that their child feels as if they have no friends. Let me assure you that your student is not alone in that feeling! It is difficult to leave the comfort of familiar friends, families and teachers, but even more challenging is the task of finding new relationships. It requires risk-taking, patience, and emotional energy. The next time you talk with your student, acknowledge that making new friends is hard work and encourage your student to resolve to step out of their comfort zone. Affirm the efforts they have already made, no matter now small, and discuss ways in which they can continue to reach out. Ask your student if there are others with whom they share multiple classes and/or who live in the same dorm.  Challenge your student to invite that classmate to dinner in the Café or ask a floor mate for a ride to church on Sunday. Remind your student that there are many other students who are also lonely and would appreciate another student to come alongside them. With time, our students do make connections, and in many instances, friendships that last a lifetime.

Making new friends is difficult for many, but for others it’s the challenge of college-level academics that causes anxiety. No matter how successful your student was in high school, adjusting to new professors, a bigger workload, and more challenging exams can be overwhelming. If you sense that your student is having a difficult time getting the hang of college classes, remind them that Biola has a number of resources they can access. The Learning Center offers individual appointments for students who desire to improve their learning skills or need help with time management. They also provide tutoring services, for a small fee, for many general education courses. Availability is limited, so early sign up is encouraged. The Writing Center is a great resource for students who desire feedback and assistance in the writing process. Trained writing consultants are available on a walk-in basis, though students should contact the Writing Center for Office hours.

If your student is having difficulty with a particular class, encourage them to speak with the professor. All professors have office hours in which they are available to meet with students. Some students may find it intimidating to approach a professor, but understand that our faculty members are concerned with the success of every student. They are often willing to go the extra mile if they know a student is struggling or needs extra help.  And as a side note, I know it's hard, but if your student complains about a professor, please resist the urge to jump to conclusions or to contact the professor yourself. Allow your student to work out the issue on their own and use appropriate channels when necessary.  There are many people at Biola willing to help your student.  You can assist all of us by encouraging your student to make their needs known to someone on campus.

The staff and faculty at Biola take our responsibility as educators very seriously, and we want to see every student succeed. Remember, though, that ultimately it is your student’s responsibility to seek out the support they need, whether socially or academically. We’re here to help. They just need to ask!

Blessings,

Colleen Heykoop
Manager, Parent Relations

The Learner Center  
The Writing Center 

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Chapel Next Week

Chapel Theme for Fall 2007: “United in Gratitude –Bonded in Love” (Col. 3: 1 – 17)

September 17 - 21:

Frequently asked questions about chapel:

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Centennial Celebrations

From July 2007 through June 2008, Biola celebrates a century of faithfulness! Enjoy the year and bring your family and friends to commemorate the University's legacy and to celebrate its promising future.

Biola Dodger Day:  Tickets are currently all sold out for this event, but if you already have your tickets don't forget to be at Dodger Stadium by 12:30 this Sunday (September 16th) President Corey will throw the first pitch.

Join members of the global Biola community in prayer for Biola. September 25th, 2007 1:00pm to 1:30pm at the Bell Tower

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Upcoming Events

November 2, 2007

The Inauguration of Biola University's Eighth President

Join us Friday, November 2 for the Inauguration of Barry H. Corey

Date:   
Friday, November 2 at 9:30 AM

Location:   
Biola University Chase Gymnasium

Contact:   
events@biola.edu
562.777.4062

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Biola Lingo

You might have heard your student talking about AS and SMU.  We realize there can be a lot of abbreviations to try to keep up with here at Biola, so we are here to help.  "AS" refers to the Associated Students group on campus and "SMU" refers to the Student Missionary Union.

Biola's Associated Student Government (AS) aims to represent the student body on an administrative level, as well as provide services and facilitate events to foster a Christ-centered community. AS is led by a student-elected President. He or she is the direct link between the undergraduate student body and the administration of Biola. The President advocates for the needs of the student body and is the main voice the administration looks to when seeking student opinion on University decisions. 

The Student Missionary Union (SMU) is the largest student-led missions organization in the United States. Our 25 staff members and hundreds of volunteers are committed to joining in with what God is doing on earth, the gathering of His beloved by the power of the cross of Christ, so that He be worshiped by every tribe, tongue and nation. We labor to mobilize students to catch a vision of God's desire for our world, and passionately pursue their role in the incredible, real-life story that God began with Abraham, and will end with the Messiah's second coming.  

SMU is responsible for organizing and sending short term mission trips, and supporting students headed for long term missions work.  They are also responsible for putting on Biola's annual Missions Conference.  The conference this year will be held April 16 -18.  

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A Message from the Conservatory of Music

Music at Noon
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
12:30 - 1:00 p.m., Free, SPECIAL OUTSIDE CONCERT BY THE SUB 

Our Music at Noon this week will be a special outdoor concert with David Diggs and Jazzwerks. Returning and new group members with composer/keyboardist Diggs will be Joey Heredia, drums; Stan Sargeant, bass; Tom Saviano, saxophone; and Ezekiel (David Joseph), rap. David Diggs' music has been described as revealing, realistic, unrestrained and upbeat, inspired by his passion for living. Be sure to take time to come out for lunch, great jazz, and fine weather!

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Parent Weekend

The Office of Parent Relations invites you to join us, October 5-7, for Parent Weekend 2007. Every year Biola University hosts parents and families of Biola University students for a variety of events around campus. We encourage you to come!

Parents are welcome to attend any one or all of the scheduled activities. We recommend discussing the weekend schedule with your student before sending your RSVP. To register online and for a full schedule visit the calendar. 

If you are planning on joining us for the weekend, we wanted to highlight a few of your options for hotels while you are in the area.

14419 Firestone Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638
(800) 331-3131 | (714) 523-2800
Visit the hotel's website
Biola Rate: $114*
Distance from Biola: 2.5 miles
Misc: Rates through December 28th, 2007.
Shuttle Service: Yes
*Studio suite (up to 2 ppl), 2-bedroom suite (up to 5 ppl) available for $169

To see a full listing of hotels in the area click

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Sports 

To catch up on all the latest in Biola athletic news please visit athletics. 

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