The Enlightened Parent

December 2011

BOUNCE BACK: A new program starting in

January, p. 2

GIFT IDEAS: What

should you get for your

student?, p. 2

ON CAMPUS: Some fun

December events to distract your student from

the stress of exams, p. 3

REDUCING EXAM

STRESS: Tips for your

student, p. 4

Plus… FEATURED SERVICE:

Health and Counselling Services, p. 5

OPT-OUT CHEQUES:

Now available for

pick-up, p. 5

carleton.ca/parents

December: The most wonderful time of the year

The Enlightened Parent 2

Students can sign up for a “Live Rush” membership and get cheap tickets for shows at the National Arts Centre!

Winter Statistics Average winter temperature: -10°C (14°F) Annual snowfall: 235 cm (93 inches) Record annual snowfall: 1970-1971 with

444 cm of snow Largest snowfall received at one time: March,

1947 with 73 cm of snow Wind chills are also common in Ottawa and can lower the temperature by up to 40°C. With these statistics in mind, encourage your student to return to Carleton with their winter jacket, boots and hat in hand. While students often use the heated tunnel system to get to their classes, encourage them to occasionally grab a breath of fresh air! Remember that students can rent lockers at a variety of locations around campus, should they choose to store their winter clothing or sporting equipment (hockey sticks, skis) elsewhere. Locker rentals: carleton.ca/parking.

STUDENT GIFT IDEAS

Carleton gifts you can get from home… Carleton University sweater or other school spirit gear, buy online at: carleton.ca/bookstore. Add money to the convenience dollars account on their campus card: carleton.ca/campuscard.

Winter term fitness classes through Carleton Athletics. carleton.ca/athletics.

A care kit from Carleton Dining Services. They come in a variety of themes, from “entertainment night” to “pretty and pampered.” carleton.ca/dining

Other creative gift ideas Decorations for their residence room Gift cards for their favourite Ottawa stores.

Practical ones would be for locations found at the South Keys Shopping Complex (i.e. Cineplex, Walmart, Future Shop, Loblaws, etc.)

Tickets for an Ottawa 67’s or Ottawa Senators game. capitaltickets.ca.

Is your student ready to bounce back?

You might remember reading about the Bounce Back program in October’s The Enlightened Parent. The Bounce Back program is a nine-week service starting in the winter semester that is available to first-year students. It’s meant to ensure that students are staying on track with their academic goals. Students who received an average of less than 60 per cent in their first semester will be receiving an email in early January asking if they would like to opt into the program. If they wish to participate, students will be matched with an upper-year student who will be their mentor throughout the winter semester. The three students who achieve the greatest academic improvement from their fall term marks will be awarded a $750 tuition credit! Encourage your student to look into the program.

A new program designed to help students in the upcoming winter term

For more information, email Yvonne Langen, the first generation student co-ordinator in the Student Experience Office. Please visit our website at carleton.ca/seo/bounce-back.

The Enlightened Parent 3

You can follow Carleton on Twitter @Carleton_U!

International exchange information sessions: Did you know that your student can study abroad for the 2012-2013 school year? Carleton has more than 100 partner universities worldwide. These two information sessions are a great opportunity for your student to get their questions answered. December 1, 11-11:30 a.m., 128 UniCentre December 2, 2-2:30 p.m., 128 UniCentre Fall term exam period, December 8-21: Exams are held Monday to Saturday during three different time periods: 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Students can check their exam time and location by visiting their Carleton Central account.

Deadline to apply for international exchange, December 9: Students must have their application package submitted to the International Student Services Office by this date. The application must be accompanied by two academic references and a $60 application fee. carleton.ca/isso/international-opportunities. Holiday skate, December 10: An afternoon of combined holiday and Carleton spirit. Rental skates and lessons are available for those who require both. The event runs from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free with a food donation. events.carleton.ca/2011-holiday-skate.

December at Carleton: what’s happening on campus?

For an explanation of items, see below the calendar [ ]

Last day of fall term clas-

ses No classes

Exam period begins

Exam period ends

University closed until January 1, 2012. Winter term classes resume on January 4, 2012.

Holiday skate

International exchange information sessions

Exchange deadline

The Enlightened Parent 4

The Scoop is a new sports and lifestyles magazine created to highlight the headlines in the Ravens varsity world

Reducing Exam Stress

Five tips to help your student avoid pre-exam anxiety this December

Be prepared Encourage your student to review their notes and learn all the material that they will be tested on. This is the first step in reducing (or eliminating) exam anx-iety. Know what to expect Uncertainty can lead to anxiety. Your student’s professor will likely discuss their expectations for the exam with students and should be expanding on the format and grading scheme of the evaluation. If students aren’t clear on what to expect, they can meet with the professor or TA to review just what knowledge is needed for the exam.

Eliminate negative thoughts During exams, it’s crucial that your student focuses on what they know, rather than on what they don’t. Students can build their confidence through rational thinking and by concentrating on the positive aspects of their studying. Avoid cramming Rather than cramming for a huge exam the night before, your student will benefit from spreading out their studying throughout the month of December. Studying over longer periods of time will also help your student retain the information, rather than just memorizing it for the exam. Arrive early Your student can eliminate the stress of being late for an ex-am by planning to arrive early. Students can check their Car-leton Central account ahead of time to find out exactly where their exam is being written and can allot enough time to get to that location. While waiting for the exam to begin, encour-age your student to do a relaxing activity, such as reading a magazine or taking a walk. Not studying right before the exam should help calm your student’s mind.

Now hiring: Residence fellows for the 2012-13 school year

Applications are now being accepted for students interested in becoming a residence fellow for next school year. Residence fellows are role models and floor leaders for students in residence. The position involves many responsibilities, including planning floor-wide events, being available for mentorship and more. This is a live-in position, and students are compensated through a single room and meal plan for the academic year. The deadline to apply for this leadership opportunity is January 9, 2012. For more information, encourage your student to email blanka_vallillee@carleton.ca or visit the job posting at carleton.ca/housing.

Being a student can have its advantages! The National Arts Centre’s Live Rush program is a great way for students to get HUGE discounts on ballets, plays, operas and more. Here’s how it works: students simply need to sign up for a Live Rush account by visiting nac-cna.ca/en/liverush. Then they can check the website for shows that qualify for the Live Rush discount. Tickets are $12 and can be bought from 10 a.m. the day before the performance until 6 p.m. the day of. From December 1 until 4, Live Rush tickets are available for the Pennsylvania Ballet’s performance of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Don’t let your student miss out on this great opportunity!

The Enlightened Parent 5

Carleton has an iPhone app - tell your student to download it to access their class schedule, bus times and more.

Featured Service: Health and Counselling Services If your student is feeling worn down by their hard work throughout the term, students can visit Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services (HCS). To combat anxiety or other issues, students can talk to one of Carleton’s many counsellors. All information discussed at these appointments is kept confidential. With the winter almost underway, students may be more prone to catching a flu bug or cold. If your student thinks they require medical attention, they can either make an ap-pointment or access the walk in clinic during business hours. Should your student be visiting a warm location this holiday break, HCS also offers a variety of travel vaccinations. To determine the necessary vaccine required, students must visit the Prescription Shop located on the first floor of the Carleton Technology and Training Centre. To inquire more about vaccines or the fees associated with this service, call 613-526-3666. Finally, students often go to HCS if they’re looking to get a doctor’s note to excuse them from an exam. If your student

thinks they are too ill to write an exam, they must seek confirmation from a physi-cian at either HCS or another location. If approved, doctor’s notes cost $15. Walk-In Clinic Hours - 8:30 to 3:45 p.m. Health and Counselling Services hours - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Health and Counselling Services, visit their website:

Carleton Technology and Training Centre

Reminder: students can now pick-up insurance opt-out cheques

If your student is covered under your health and dental insurance coverage and chose to opt-out of the Carleton insurance, refund cheques are now available. The refund is $178 for both health and dental opt-out (or $95/health, $83/dental). Cheques must be picked up by April 30, 2012 in the CUSA Office, fourth floor UniCentre. Remind your student to bring their student card when getting their cheque!

Follow Carleton University’s official Twitter account to keep up with what’s happening on campus. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to visit the account. Let your student know about campus workshops, events and more!

The Enlightened Parent

newsletter is a monthly

publication for parents of

current Carleton students. The newsletter is produced by the Student Experience

Office within the university.

Writer/Designer: Hilary Duff

Editor: Jan Patterson

Student Experience Office 430 Tory Building

carleton.ca/seo

seo@carleton.ca

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

613-520-7595

Facebook: “Linking Parents to

Parents at Carleton University”

Staff: Jan Patterson, Manager

Jeremy Brzozowski, Student development

and first year coordinator

Kaylee Mask, Student experience and

community outreach coordinator

William Johnson, Off campus outreach

and engagement coordinator

Yvonne Langen, First generation student

coordinator

AA - Architecture

AC - Physical Recreation

AH - Alumni Hall

SP - Art Gallery

AP - Azrieli Pavilion

AT - Azrieli Theatre

CC - Colonel By Child Care

CO - Residence Commons

DH - Dundas House

DT - Dunton Tower

FH - Fieldhouse

GH - Glengarry House

GR - Grenville House

GY - Gymnasium

HP - Herzberg Laboratories

IH - Ice House

LA - Loeb Building

LE - Leeds House

LH - Lanark House

LS - Life Sciences Research

Building

MB - Maintenance Building

MC - Minto Centre

ME - Mackenzie Building

ML - MacOdrum Library

NB - Nesbitt Biology Building

NW - National Wildlife Re-

search Centre

PA - Paterson Hall

PG - Parking Garage

PH: Prescott House

RH - Renfrew House

RO - Robertson Hall

RU - Russell House

SA - Southam Hall

SC - Steacie Building

SH - Stormont House

SP - St. Patrick's Building

SR - Social Sciences Research

Building

TB - Tory Building

TC - Tennis Centre

TT - Technology and Training

Centre

UC - University Centre

The Enlightened Parent 6