The College of Liberal Arts is the largest community on campus with 600 faculty members and more than 14,000 students.  While the large size allows the college to offer a wide variety of programs and academic opportunities, it also creates the challenge of how best to communicate all the college has to offer to students and their families.  To address this need, Dean Randy Diehl has created the College of Liberal Arts Parents' League. 

The purpose of the League is to engage our parents in the life of the college, in the current undergraduate opportunities available to their children, as well as guidance for life after the Forty Acres.  Members will also provide input on the college’s communication efforts with parents, receive information on volunteer opportunities and attend special League events. 

Join today by filling out this quick online membership form.

For more information
Program Coordinator Beth Norris emnorris@mail.utexas.edu; (512) 471-6931.

From One Parent to Another:
A blog by a parent, for parents

Jeff Davis is the Chair of the Parents’ League Advisory Committee.  He is a partner at McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore in Houston and a father to three daughters. His youngest is in her second year in the College of Liberal Arts.

November, 2008
Final Exams; Stressed out students (and parents)

There are many ways to prepare for final exams. Some students will choose to wait until the last minute to start studying, others will begin preparations weeks in advance, and others will treat exams like any other test and just hope for the best. I am sure that you all had many ways to deal with final exams when you were in school. My sophomore daughter is not like me. She will stay up late into the night studying, but she gets it done. That was not my style. I treated finals like a job. I hid from distractions and I avoided friends and others who wanted to grab a midnight hamburger. That was my approach. I am sure you have stories you can share with your student as well.  Your student may say they do not need to go to class right before final exams, but that is not true.  Some of the most valuable information is taught in the final weeks, and professors often hold review sessions during those final class meetings. You should also encourage your student to get a reasonable amount of sleep, especially during finals season. Although our definitions of “reasonable amount” might differ from our students’ definition, the more your student deprives him or herself of sleep, the harder it will be to sit through a long exam.  

What if your student is still having problems with classes leading up to finals? He or she can visit the UT Learning Center. http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/ It is never too late to get a boost from tutoring. In addition, my three girls always found that studying in groups helped them prepare for exams.  You may want to suggest your student find a study buddy in their class.

How about some treats for your student to help get them through exams? You can send care packages from home or have someone local send treats to your student. Tiff’s Treats is a favorite and it is not far from campus. They will deliver fresh baked cookies and you can place your order online. I personally can vouch for the deliciousness of Tiff’s Treats. My favorite is the vanilla ice cream and warm snicker-doodle cookie.

As I am sure you are aware, the Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner; November 27 – 30. Thanksgiving Day brings the football showdown between rivals Texas and A&M to Austin. Tickets can often be found up to kickoff. I am convinced that the Horns will prevail.  In spite of the Texas Tech game, the Horns will still be in the running for a great bowl game. Enough of that though; I do not want to jinx anyone.

If your student is planning to come home for the Thanksgiving holiday, bus services are available. The UT Bus Shuttle offers the Texas Express with various routes from campus to Houston and Dallas.

Another reminder: If you have a student graduating in December, I hope to see you at the commencement ceremony. It is December 6, 2008 at 6:00pm at the Frank Erwin Center.

Warm wishes to you and your family for a wonderful and safe holiday.

Jeff Davis will address a new topic of interest to parents on his blog every month.  If you would like to suggest a topic, please send your suggestions to emnorris@mail.utexas.edu.