University of North Carolina Wilmington V o l um e
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Alleviating Stress During the Holidays
Latest
News
We all know holiday stress; the gift
buying, the parties, the obligations.
But, for students, holiday stress can be
doubled by the frenzy of final exams
and traveling home for the semester
break.
≈ Alleviating
Stress During
the Holidays
≈ “We’ve Heard
Your Voice”:
The Career
Center
It is important to remember that stress
can be controlled before it takes a toll
on the body and possibly cause illness
or depression.
≈ Fall 2009
Commencement
Ceremonies
People have different ways of coping
with stress. Methods that are most
widely effective include meditation,
journaling, exercise, sufficient sleep,
and healthy eating.
Inside
every issue:
Traditions
W i n t e r
3
Healthy
Living:
• Cold & Flu 4
Prevention
• Home for 5
the Holidays
What students at UNCW may not
know, however, is that there are several resources on campus to help students manage their stress levels, and
cope with new or challenging experiences. The Seahawk Perch, in collaboration with Health Promotion and
Crossroads, has a “Stress-Free Zone”
each semester, during the week before
finals, to provide students with an outlet for their stress.
This program introduces students to
healthy snack options (in addition to
actually making their own snack), tips
on how to manage stress without the
use of drugs or alcohol, and massage
therapists, who provide free shoulder
and neck massages to students.
For students who are looking for support throughout the semester, the
Counseling Center provides ongoing
support services including individual
and group counseling.
In addition, the Counseling Center
collaborates with other campus departments for “Sound Mind, Sound
Body,” a program designed to promote
mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing in the campus community. More
information can be found here.
We want our students at UNCW to be
happy, healthy and productive. Please
encourage your student to find a personal method of relieving stress, be it
exercise or singing in the shower.
In addition, remind your student that
they can participate in these campus
programs or investigate other resources on campus, like student organizations and support groups.
Also, check out http://www.uncw.edu/
stuaff/counseling
for more information on alleviating
stress.
Jessica Thummel,
Graduate Assistant
Seahawk Perch
Volume 11, Issue 5
Page 2
“We’ve Heard Your Voice”: The Career Center
The Career Center, located in
the Fisher University Union
Room 2035, provides services
to students seeking current
and/or future employment.
This includes on-campus, parttime jobs as well as guidance in
launching and managing careers for current students and
alumni. Every other year, the
Career Center conducts a “60
Second Survey,” to quickly
gauge students’ perceptions
about careers and the Career
Center. In the April 2009 “60
Second Survey,” 92% of student
respondents believed internships served as an important
part of their career future.
In response to this finding, the
Career Center has since doubled
the number of internship postings on their SeaWork web site.
Another significant concern
voiced by students through the
survey involved their intent to
seek employment directly after
graduation. Nearly 50% of students listed this as their plan.
To address this issue, the staff
at the Career Center has been
listing over 100 new positions
in SeaWork every week and the
Career Center will host six job
fair events this year.
Not only does the Career Center
take into consideration the results of locally designed surveys, it also reviews the results
of other national surveys in
which UNCW students participate. For example, the National
Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) Survey, conducted in spring 2009, asked
students to list the top two services they sought from their
university’s career center.
The responses of the national
survey coincided with the results of our “60 Second Survey.”
Students want help with resumes and cover letters. The
also seek guidance from career
counselors for help concerning
job placement and graduate
school options.
To accommodate students’
needs, the Career Center sponsors “Resume Doctor” events
every semester and has recently
doubled the number of counseling hours. Career Counselors
are available for walk-ins every
Monday through Friday from 2
p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students may
also call the Career Center at
910.962.3174 to make an appointment.
Another example of how the Career Center has incorporated
student requests is through
feedback from Education Interns, collected in fall 2008 and
spring 2009. Students said they
wanted more information about
the various local school districts
directly from teachers.
During the spring 2009 semester, the Career Center sponsored a Round Table program
for Education majors with new
area teachers who described
their job search experiences.
The Career Center is now sharing information gathered from
an extensive survey of teachers
in the Wilmington area in their
first five years of teaching.
Other areas where students requested help were in decisions
on their majors and considerations about graduate school.
The Career Center has designated a counselor to work specifically with Deciding Students
in University College.
The Center has also sponsored
Graduate & Law School Day as
well as a “How to Write a Powerful Personal Statement” workshop.
We feel it is very important for
students to know that the time
taken to complete surveys is
worthwhile, and that we are using the data to enhance students’ overall experience. As
mentioned above, these changes
can be seen in the Career Center’s expanded offerings of oneon-one career counseling services, on their website, and in
their numerous sponsored
events.
We thank you and the students
for the feedback that helps us
serve our Seahawk community
even better.
For more information, about
the Career Center, please visit
their website at http://
www.uncw.edu/stuaff/career/.
More information about Student Life Assessment can be
found at http://www.uncw.edu/
stuaff/assessment/Index.htm.
Nathan Lindsay and Andy Jarachovic
Student Life Assessment
Page 3
Volume 11, Issue 5
Fall 2009 Commencement Ceremonies
The University of North Carolina Wilmington will hold fall commencement ceremonies on
December 12, 2009.
•
•
•
Ceremonies will take place in Trask Coliseum. For information about department events, please
visit http://www.uncw.edu/commencement.
Each student will receive 6 tickets to their commencement ceremony.
Students may pick up their cap, gown, tickets and name card at the UNCW Bookstore. They will
need to have their UNCW One Card swiped. These items are theirs to keep.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Office of Transition Programs at
910.962.3089.
Ceremony
Important Times
Professional Schools (Cameron School of
Business, Watson School of Education,
and School of Nursing) & Graduate School
Commencement Ceremony
Ceremony start time- 9:30 a.m.
Graduates line-up at Hanover Gym- 8:30 a.m.
Doors open for guests- 8:30 a.m.
Extra tickets available for pick-up- 8:30 a.m.
College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Commencement
Ceremony
Ceremony start time- 1:30 p.m.
Graduates line-up at Hanover Gym- 12:30 p.m.
Doors open for guests- 12:30 p.m.
Extra tickets available for pick-up- 12:30 p.m.
Traditions: The Alumni Association
UNCW takes pride in every student, and celebrates
their many accomplishments. Each December and
May, graduates are celebrated with Commencement
and various other graduation
receptions and events.
Upon graduation, students automatically become members of the
Alumni Association, an elite group
made up of alumni living all over the
state, country and world.
The
Alumni Association is an excellent resource for net-
working and keeping in touch with the university
and fellow alumni. Graduates are encouraged to
stay active with local chapters of the Association as
well as keep the Association updated
of their contact information. For
more information, please visit http://
www.uncw.edu/alumni/index.html.
And always remember, when you
graduate from UNCW, You’re a
Seahawk for Life!
UNCW Alumni Association Commencement Celebration
Friday, December 11, 2009
5-7 p.m.
Wise Alumni House, 1713 Market Street, Wilmington NC 28403
RSVP by Monday December 7, 2009 at www.tinyurl.com/UNCWgrad.
For more information call 910-962-2587 or email alumni@uncw.edu
Heather Baruch
Transition Programs
HEALTHY LIVING
Page 4
Cold and Flu No More!
Preventing Illness This Holiday Season
This time of year isn’t just
finals season for your student. It can also be the
dreaded cold and flu season.
In order for your student to
get through their classes and
finals and enjoy their holiday break, they need to
maintain their health.
•
•
•
•
•
I’m sure you know the signs
and symptoms of the flu and
cold, and what to do to help
prevent a variety of illnesses.
But, does your son or daughter remember all of those
tricks and tips?
•
Avoid sharing chapstick,
lip gloss, and any makeup.
Avoid close contact with
sick people.
Get annual flu vaccines
(seasonal and H1N1).
Cough or sneeze into an
elbow or a tissue.
Wipe down phones, computers, TV remotes and
other common household items with a disinfectant often.
Eat a healthy diet with a
lot of fruits and vegetables to keep the immune
system strong.
Get plenty of rest.
If mucus is green or yellow, stay home and see
the doctor!
Here are a few reminders on
how to stay clear of the seasonal flu, H1N1, and those
nasty colds!
•
•
The best thing your student
can do to protect themselves
from getting a cold or any
type of flu is to wash their
hands thoroughly throughout the day with soap and
warm water after visiting the
restroom, before eating a
snack or meal, and any time
he or she sneezes or cough
into his or her hands.
If your student needs overthe-counter medications or a
potential prescription, send
them to the Abrons Student
Health Center on the second
floor of Westside Hall.
Here, he or she can visit a
medical provider or swing
through the pharmacy for a
variety of over-the-counter
medications.
While soap and water is the
preferred method, alcohol
based hand sanitizers will
also do in a pinch! Other
things your student can do
to protect themselves include:
A number of students get
sick during the winter, but
knowing how to prevent illnesses is the best way to
help decrease chances of
coming in contact with the
dreaded cold or flu. Please
share these tips with your
student to they will be a
much healthier and happier
•
Avoid sharing drinks or
silverware.
Seahawk this winter season!
Keep in mind, disinfecting
wipes and hand sanitizer
make great holiday gifts!
If you have further questions
or for updates on upcoming
H1N1 vaccine clinics, please
visit our website at
w w w . u n c w . e d u /
healthservices .
Trisha M. Schleicher, Health Educator
Abrons Student Health Center
Abrons Student
Health Center
Hours of Operation:
Mon., Tues., Wed. &
Fri.
8 a.m.—5 p.m.
Thurs.
9 a.m.—5p.m.
Located on the second
floor of Westside Hall.
Phone number:
910.962.3280
Pharmacy phone
number:
910.962.3016
Volume 11, Issue 5
Page 5
HEALTHY LIVING
Home for the Holidays
It may seem like only yesterday that you
were sending your student off to college, but
another transition looms on the horizon –
the holiday homecoming.
While holiday and semester breaks are often
times of joy for students and their families,
visiting home during the holidays can be
stressful as well. The warm feelings and excitement elicited by a visit can easily change
due to hurt feelings and tension. This can
happen when students and parents have differing expectations of what it means to come
back home.
Discussing differing expectations and preparing for mixed results will smooth the way
to developing a healthy, life-long relationship with your student.
Here are some tips to consider for easing the
adjustment:
•
Your returning child has changed.
As an emerging-adult, your student has
likely become used to leading their own
lives. Some returning students will enjoy
the familiarity of home, while others will
assert their newfound independence.
This is a time to start building adult relationships with your children. A good
Office of Transition Programs
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5997
Phone: 910-962-3089
Fax: 910-962-7151
E-mail: transitions@uncw.edu
www.uncw.edu/transitions
•
•
•
place to start is renegotiating sensible
changes to the rules of living at home.
Students need sleep. Sleep is often
sacrificed to academic and social demands. Your child will likely sleep late
when they return as they catch up on
their rest. Take this into consideration
when making family plans.
Priorities may have changed. Traditions like taking meals together and attending religious services are part of the
holidays for many families. Parents expect their students to spend a significant
amount of time with the family, while
students often plan to reconnect with
friends.
Some mutual compromises
might be necessary.
Adjusting to co-habilitation can
take time. There may be a period of
awkwardness as family members adjust
to being back together. This is normal as
people adjust to changes and find new
ways to relate.
Taking some time to talk about expectations
can help ease the changing relationship between parents and students, lessening the
stress of adjustment for all involved.
Jim Dolan, Ph.D., Staff Counselor
Counseling Center
The Office of Transition Programs provides a
comprehensive array of programs designed to
meet the unique needs of undergraduate students
and parents from orientation through graduation. Programs generate an intentional connection for the students through engaging interactions with other students, faculty and staff. Ultimately through this community participation
each student is provided the opportunity to improve critical thinking, problem solving, academic achievement, interpersonal and intrapersonal growth and civic responsibility.