New Family Transition Tips

My daughter just returned home from her first year of college. I remember the incredible mix of emotions you are experiencing — excitement, nervousness, sadness, relief at finally having a plan! I have experienced all of these and more, just like you. It is an exciting time for our soon-to-be college students, but this is a big transition for student and parent alike, and I want to assure you that those of us at the Centre College Family Engagement Office are here to support you every step of the way.

As a Centre alumna, I know what an incredible experience awaits your student. Over the next four years, your student will engage in a transformative educational experience, explore the world, make lifelong friends, and build relationships with amazing faculty members. I am so excited for your family as you begin your Centre Experience!

Throughout the summer, you will receive Centre Transition Tips emails from our office and campus partners. These emails will cover important topics to help you and your student arrive to campus prepared for academic, social, and personal success.

I look forward to officially welcoming you to the Centre family in August at our Family Orientation. Mark your calendars for Friday, August 21, and watch for registration information in July. In the meantime, join our Facebook group – Centre College Families – for updates and news throughout the summer and beyond.

I know you have a big transition ahead, and my colleagues and I are committed to providing the support and resources you need to make that transition successfully. If at any time you have questions or concerns about the journey ahead, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at krista.rinehart@centre.edu or 859.238.5508.

As your student prepares for the housing assignment process, we want to share a few ways you can support them during this exciting transition to campus living.

One important step in the process is creating a roommate group in the housing portal for students who have identified a preferred roommate. We encourage you to have conversations with your student about roommate preferences, communication styles and expectations for shared living spaces. While families can provide valuable guidance, we also encourage students to take the lead in completing their housing forms and roommate group selections, as this helps build confidence and independence as they prepare for college life.

Students who wish to request roommates must create a roommate group in the housing portal and ensure that all invited roommates accept the invitation by the June 15 deadline. Encouraging your student to complete this process early can help reduce stress as deadlines approach.

We also know many families are eager to begin planning for move-in and residence hall needs. Because room layouts and dimensions vary by building, measurements are building-specific. After housing assignments are finalized, students will receive an email with details and measurements for their assigned residence hall so you can plan together appropriately.

Thank you for your partnership and support as your student prepares to join our residential community. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the Residence Life team at reslife@centre.edu.

We look forward to welcoming your student – and you – to campus soon!

Your student has completed taking placement tests (through June 9) and will soon hear from our Registrar about course registration. The excitement of being a college student is building — so now what? Here is a quick overview of the academic advising process at Centre and how your student’s fall academic schedule will be determined: 

Your student is in communication with their summer advisor now. Summer academic advisors are helping students complete placement tests in math and a second language and are planning meetings to discuss appropriate course choices for the upcoming fall term. Each student will meet virtually with their advisor before course registration week of July 6–10. Please make sure that your student is responding to Centre College emails, as advisors will communicate via email to set up important meetings this summer. 

Your student will meet their academic advisor as part of the on-campus orientation activities before classes begin. These advisors will continue to partner with your student through the first two years at Centre. Faculty academic advisors are deeply knowledgeable about our curriculum requirements, campus resources and support, and will help students plan to meet requirements and explore their interests. 

Late spring of their sophomore year, students will select a major and be paired with a new faculty advisor in their chosen discipline. This advisor remains with them through graduation.   

You can learn more about Academic Advising and other campus resources at Centre by visiting Student Support online. If you or your student have any questions about the advising process, you may reach out to mary.gulley@centre.edu or 859.238.5223. 

We can’t wait to welcome you and your student when you arrive for Move-In Day on August 21! This will kickstart the orientation experience for new students, a time for them to learn about our campus community, connect with new classmates, and prepare for the first day of the term. Of course, the transition to college life takes more than just a few days — and that’s where “Finding Your Centre” (FYC: 001) comes in!  

FYC is a one-credit course that new first-year students take in the fall semester and is designed to continue the guidance for navigating college, as well as understanding campus resources and community-building that begins in the summer months. It provides an immediate support network as students settle in at Centre in a number of ways: 

1. PEER MENTORSHIP: Each student will be matched with a First-Year Mentor (FYM) — an experienced upperclassman dedicated to providing guidance, support and insight throughout the transition to college life. Your student’s mentor will be reaching out this week to introduce themselves and will stay in touch over the summer. Then, this same FYM will lead your student and a small group of peers through orientation and will continue to serve as a resource throughout the first semester (including support in the FYC course).  

2.  INSIGHT ON THE LEARNING PROCESS: FYC groups meet weekly during the first semester and provide key opportunities for new students to learn about Centre's campus resources and support services, like the Centre Learning Commons. FYMs and FYC instructors will also share invaluable tips and study tricks to help your student succeed in the classroom and find their academic footing.   

3. A BUILT-IN COMMUNITY: One of the hallmarks of a Centre education is small classes that create a strong sense of community. With no more than 20 students per section, FYC classes are designed to provide a foundation to the community your student will build here at Centre. They will get to know their group before the term even begins, forge bonds over shared experiences their first semester — and may even make some lifelong friends.    

4. FACULTY/STAFF MENTORSHIP: Each FYC group is led by a dedicated faculty or staff member who has volunteered out of a genuine love for Centre and a strong commitment to student success. FYC instructors are here to provide thoughtful guidance and support, offering insights and instruction to help first-year students grow and thrive. They’ll be reaching out to your student in just a few weeks to begin that journey!  

As you can see, “Finding Your Centre” is designed to help your student establish roots here at Centre that will serve them throughout their Centre Experience. Learn more about our FYC program here, and feel free to reach out to ansley.bredar@centre.edu or call 859.238.5341 with specific questions.