Family Members

This is an important chapter in your life, and we are excited your son or daughter has chosen UT Tyler to continue his or her education.  To familiarize you with UT Tyler and the environment in which your student will live for the next few years, we offer a family orientation program as part of our New Student Orientation.  This program runs concurrently with, but separate from, the student program.

During the various presentations and programs, family members will learn more about all areas of their student’s college experience. Spending this time with us provides family members a great opportunity to ask questions and become more familiar with their student’s surroundings.

Our program for family members is designed to be beneficial and informative, and we encourage all attendees to be present for the planned presentations and orientation events. Family members will receive a detailed schedule upon arrival, but for a sample schedule, please click here.  You may also review the 2009 orientation presentations by following this link.

Letting Go

This is not only a big change for your son or daughter; it's a big change for you as well.  It may be difficult at first (and stay that way for a while), but this is the time when students need to take on more responsibility as they transition into adulthood and parents need to "parent" a little less.  Try to set a time once or twice a week when you can speak with one another.  Send care packages when you get the chance; these brighten anyone's day and are a treat to receive.  Don't forget about e-mail.  This is a convenient way to stay up-to-date, but do not overdo it!  The key is to find a balance between too much contact and not enough.  Here are some helpful books to help you find that delicate balance:

Letting Go:  A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years by Kevin Levin Coburn & Madge Lawrence Treeger

The Launching Years by Jennifer Wyatt & Laura Kastner

Empty Nest...Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College by Andrea VanSteenhouse

Almost Grown:  Launching Your Child from High School to College by Patricia Pasick

Loving and Letting Go by Carol Kuykendall