Family Weekend is quickly approaching! This is a time for you to reconnect with your family after spending time apart, introduce family to your college friends and share a glimpse into your life here at Syracuse University. It can be overwhelming to know what to share first with your family and loved ones, and your family will probably ask a TON of questions. To get the conversations started, New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) have compiled a list of five things you should definitely share with your family when they visit during Family Weekend!
1. Share the Important People in Your Life
Whether it’s your mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, or a cousin, there’s a pretty high chance your loved ones want to hear about the important people in your life. This can be a roommate, a friend, a professor or the person in your biology class that sits next to you. Tell a funny story about a moment you and your roommate shared. Talk about a great classroom experience or discussion you had. Your family would love to hear about all the moments you’ve shared with new people that they do not get to experience firsthand. Bonus points if your family gets to meet some of your friends or important people!
Speaking of roommates and friends, you can check out the Living on South Campus and in the Off-Campus Neighborhoods information session Student Living is holding. Attend this session with your family and future (or current) roommates! As a first-year or second-year student, you should plan to live on South Campus or off-campus in the next year or two, and this session will help you to prepare.
2. Share Your Favorite Spots On Campus
What’s your favorite spot to grab coffee or tea before class? Where do you study for exams? Where does your student organization meet every week? While strolling around campus with your loved ones in between Family Weekend events, take a moment to point out spots that you visit frequently. Your family will think you are the BEST tour guide around. However, if you would like to let someone else do the work of showing off the University’s incredible campus, attend one of our campus tours happening throughout Family Weekend!
3. Share What You’ve Learned and How You Get Involved on Campus
You’ve probably learned a thing or two while attending Syracuse University. Maybe it’s something you learned in class, or maybe it’s when your favorite dessert is served at the dining hall. Either way, your family wants to hear about what you have learned throughout your time here!
Your family would also love to hear about what you’ve been involved in on campus or about fun events you have attended as a student here. Share about the student organization you’re a part of, or introduce your family to Orange After Dark by taking them to the Family Weekend movie showing of “Minions: Rise of Gru“ or to the Glow Skate and Learn to Curl event at the Tennity Ice Pavilion!
4. Share How You’re Taking Care of Yourself
We hope that you have been taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Your family probably does, too! Share with them all the ways you have been keeping yourself healthy and happy. The good news is, you don’t just have to tell them this; Family Weekend gives you a great opportunity to show them! Take them on a tour of the Barnes Center at The Arch or show them your favorite hiking spot!
5. Share Your School Spirit
A huge part of Family Weekend is attending the Family Weekend football game and other sporting events. This year, in addition to having a Family Weekend football game versus North Carolina State University on Saturday, Oct. 15, we will also have the 2022 Orange Tip-Off with our Men’s and Women’s basketball teams on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. (Orange Tip-Off tickets are free!) Both the football game and Orange Tip-Off will give you the opportunity to share what it means to Be Orange with your family and loved ones!
Sharing these important parts of your University life with your family and loved ones is a great way for them to get a glimpse into your time here. To begin planning for Family Weekend, take a look at the full Family Weekend events schedule. There are many events to choose from, and surely there is something for everyone to enjoy! But remember, YOU are the reason your family and loved ones are coming to Family Weekend. Enjoy your time with family, make memories and have fun!