Southern Virginia University

• Residential Life

• Activities and Events

• Health Services

• Code of Honor

• Intramurals

• Clubs

• Student Association

• Student Support Center

• Airport Shuttle

• For Parents

First-Year Information: Supporting Your New Student

We are dedicated to your student's successful transition from your home to ours. As a parent or loved one, you play a critical role in enabling your first year student to have a positive experience at Southern Virginia University. We thank you for the opportunity we now have to get to know your student. Although adjustment issues facing first year students may be challenging, we believe that they also present wonderful opportunities for growth and development. The first-year student experiences a new level of independence, which is critical in their quest to become productive adults. While most first year students recognize their time at SVU as an opportunity to express their independence, it is also equally important for them to develop an increasing sense of their interdependence. It is our hope that your first year student will interact with many individuals with whom they can find friendship and support.

Roots and Wings

A native American proverb states that each child is deserving of roots and wings. When a student has a strong, supportive connection to home, they have been given roots. When a student is encouraged and allowed to succeed on their own, they are given wings. Southern Virginia University has your student's best interests in mind. We are committed to providing a Gospel-based education that supports the values or roots you have instilled in your students. We also appreciate our role at the University in helping you give your students wings as they pursue a superior liberal arts education. Working together as parents and educators we can help them develop both roots and wings.

Steer Clear of Rescuing Behaviors

Your student will probably experience some tough times in the coming months. This is normal and part of the growth process. Although it is difficult to watch your student struggle, remember that as they work through their challenges, they are developing wings. Allowing your student the freedom to learn and grow is a vital part of his or her education.

We encourage you to steer clear of

• Questioning or supervising all of your student's decisions.
• Monitoring your student's activities too closely.

We encourage parents to:

• Listen to your students and their concerns. Offer advice as requested, but give them the opportunity to first come up with solutions on their own.
• Identify your student's strengths.
• Let your students know that their place in your home is secure. It is important that they know their family cares about them.
• Encourage your student to take advantage of university resources such as tutoring, academic advisers, consulting with faculty etc.
• Be positive and let them know that they can succeed.
• Listen when your students experience failure in some area. You then play the important role in averting the mind-set that failure in one area means failure in all areas.
• Encourage your students to become involved with the many activities available to them on campus.

Typical Ups and Downs of College Life