by Jill O'Neal

​As Brittney is finishing her first year at Texas Tech, we take every opportunity we get to talk with her about how fortunate and lucky she is to have received the Terry Scholarship.  We are so thankful to the foundation and feel certain Brittney will work to give back to this great group of people.
Brittney participated in orientation and we encouraged her to do everything she could to get involved in school.  As a Tech Terry Scholar, this enabled her to have a fantastic room in the residence hall and an instant inner circle of friends.  Going into the year, we did not realize the amount of functions, the proximity of the other Terry’s living quarters and the instant feeling of belonging to a group that she would encounter.   

PLAN AHEAD
A few things that I wish we had done prior to the start of school is to come up with a plan for things that might occur.  Lubbock is over five hours from our home and although we visit, we are not close enough to be there quickly.  Prior to starting or early in the first semester, I wish we had scoped out a few places.  From where to buy groceries, a clinic that takes your insurance, an auto-body shop, a local dentist and a place to have your oil changed or your tires rotated would have been helpful information. Having caught the flu and unfortunately, having a fender bender happened this year and it would have been easier on Brittney if we had done some ground work ahead of time. 

CARE PACKAGES  
I think the busier kids are and the more involved they get in school, the less likely they are to get homesick; however, even though they may be super busy, they will get homesick.  You will miss them as much as they miss you.  For me, it has helped to send things in the mail to Brittney.  She knows we are thinking about her and I love the tone in her voice when she calls after receiving a care package.

BUDGETING 
Most kids today have their own debit card and bank account.  We talked with Brittney a lot about spending, budgeting and making the money she receives from the foundation last. She has complete control, but we absolutely talk about her budget, how she is spending her money and her long term plan.   We talk about her bank account frequently.

TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER
The best advice I can give to a parent of a child that is about to start college is to talk to your child.  Talk to them frequently and talk to them about things that matter.  If you are doing that on a daily basis prior to school starting, they are going to continue to talk to you once they arrive at Tech.  They will have roommate issues, encounter people that have different values than they do, face rejection, develop a crush, fall in love, have accidents, get sick, realize they have to study differently than in high school, find new friends, miss their siblings, spend too much money, realize they are no longer the biggest fish in the pond and make choices that will shape and mold their future.  Having an open line of communication with them will allow you to continue to be a part of their life and will give them the support they need as they grow into adulthood.  

Texas Tech is a great school and the people that work with the Tech Terry Foundation will help you support your child when you are not there.  Know that your child will forever be a Red Raider and you will forever wear red and black.  ​

Welcome to all the 2016-2017 Texas Tech Terry Scholars and Parents~
 
In Spring 2013 when we came to Texas Tech to visit we were lucky enough to visit with Heather Medley... at that moment little did she know she would change our college life forever.
Her commitment and  belief in the Terry Foundation and to educate us on their philosophy of education encouraged Brooke to apply and receive funds for her collegiate path. 
 
Just about the time we would run into obstacles in Brooke's road of education, a new door with Terry Foundation would open. The added bonus of funds for a semester of Study Abroad was a tremendous blessing! I would encourage every Terry Scholar to work with your advisor as a Freshman and work this opportunity into your curriculum - even if it is just a summer. 
 
The monetary aspect of the Terry Foundation is just a small part of what your son/daughter will gain from this opportunity. Mentors, friendships, travels and social gatherings are going to be a lifetime of memories that your son/daughter will engage in while at Texas Tech University.
 
Brooke will graduate in December 2016 and go on to pursue a degree at Pharmacy School. She hopes to run across other Terry Scholars as she grows in her career endeavors. Our family thanks the Terry Foundation  for the dreams they have allowed Brooke to pursue and the road the paved for her success without debt.
 
Wreck 'em Tech Terry Scholars,
Terri Ward

My daughter was nervous when she received the first call about the interview for a chance to receive the Terry scholarship at Texas Tech. The nervousness didn't end until the day interview was scheduled was finally over.  After arriving for the interview, my daughter and I were welcome by kind staff who made us feel comfortable about the meeting to come.  As I sat and waited for my daughter to end the interview, I learn a lot of information from the college representatives about the Terry scholarship, freshman year, and how it was a privilege to be considered for this scholarship.  Finding out over six hundred applicants applied for the scholarship and only about sixty five were called for an interview.  We had no prior knowledge of Texas Tech or the Terry scholarship Foundation before attending the interview.  My daughter first choice college was Baylor.  So many colleges had solicited her application.  Harvard had interviewed her prior to meeting. 

Once leaving the Terry interview, we were no longer confused about what college to choose.  My daughters' interest had change to Texas Tech.  We prayed and hoped she would receive the call to announce she was the recipient of the Terry scholarship.  My daughter told me the email came through the busy hectic schedule of her day. She was chosen as a recipient of the Terry scholarship.  She had no time to tell me right away.  We celebrated the answer to prayer and now anticipated the ride to see the campus.

During the summer, we were scheduled to meet the Terry Scholar Director, Mrs. Heather Medley.  She was a pleasure to meet and quite an asset to the college.  She gave such a pleasant and detailed presentation for us.  We didn't have many questions to ask at the end of meeting, due to Mrs. Medley thorough explanation of the enrollment process.  My daughter was now comfortable about beginning her college experience at Tech.  The campus is huge and beautiful.  Seeing the Texas Tech Masked Rider on a huge horse, dressed in black clothing really impressed us.  We were certain this is where my daughter was intended to be. 

Now her freshman year is almost over in a couple of months.  She is so happy to be a Raider and I am absolutely proud the Terry Scholarship was available and offered to my daughter.  I want to THANK the TERRY FOUNDATION for their financial support and thoughtfulness of students needing financial support.

May you all be blessed,

Juanita Gibson
A freshman parent

Texas Tech will send information ahead of time, and our housing staff does everything they can to help you navigate the day, but here are some suggestions that may help to make the day – and the transition – go more smoothly.

Move-In Day Arrives – Getting In

• Be early.  Whatever time you are told to arrive for move-in, try to be on time or just a bit early.  As the day progresses, parking becomes more difficult and lines become longer.  However, don’t arrive too early.  If the school has assigned you a specific time, you may end up sitting in your car waiting for your arrival time.
• Be prepared to be patient.  No matter how conscientiously the college prepares for an organized move in day, it can be confusing and exhausting.  Be prepared.  Be flexible.  Be patient.
• Be prepared for high tensions.  This is a difficult day for everyone.  Try to be patient with one another.
• Your student will need to do multiple things in addition to physically moving his belongings into his room.  He will need to check in, pick up keys, fill out paperwork. He may need to turn in forms, buy textbooks, or set up his computer.
• Ask Howdy Techsan students or staff members what the procedure is.  They have carts and bins available for moving things.  They may ask you to pull up and unload your car onto the lawn and then park somewhere else.  Howdy Techsans is an army of students available to help unload and carry things.  The housing staff has given a great deal of thought to the most efficient process – listen to them and follow directions.
• Let your student take the lead in dealing with issues and questions.  If he needs to check in and pick up keys, stay in the background and let him do the talking. If a question arises, let him find his Community Advisor to get the answer. Give him this opportunity to take charge of his new life.
• Encourage your student to do anything involving lines first.  He needs to check in and get keys, and maybe go to the bookstore or the scholarship office, do that before unpacking.  Lines get longer as the day progresses.
• Delegate anything that your student doesn't actually need to do.  Does he need an ethernet cord or extension cord?  Anyone can buy that.  Does someone need to go to the store or snackbar to buy some lunch?  Let a parent or sibling do that.

Move-in day is a big step on your college student’s road to independence.  If you can remember your student’s first day of kindergarten, you may be experiencing many similar emotions.  Once you’ve done all that you can to help him make the transition, you’ve done your job.  Now you can focus on being proud of him – and on your own transition.

Did you miss a presentation during Red Raider Orientation? Not to worry! Please find electronic copies of presentations and handouts on the Parent and Family Relations website.

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/parentrelations/orientationpresentations.php

Do’s and Don’ts for the Summer Before Freshman Year

Some advice for parents on how to survive this anxiety-ridden couple of months.

No matter how excited or laid back your college-bound child seems about starting at Texas Tech in the fall, a level of anxiety sits below the surface. You’re probably dealing with similar feelings as well. As the parent, you can minimize your family’s apprehension regarding the coming changes. Here are a few tips on how:

DO:

Try to relax Remember you’re not the first family to experience a child going off to college. Haven’t all of your friends survived? Worrying wastes energy and will keep you from enjoying the summer. Let your children know it is natural to have doubts, to be unsure what their major will be or how they will adapt to college life. Express trust in your child’s ability to make the right choices when the time comes. Besides, you have a good 8-10 weeks before you need to pack up the car.

Allow your child plenty of time with their friends  They’re going to miss you, but all they can focus on now is the fact that come fall, they won’t see their friends for months. Understand what they’re feeling, and make the most of the time they give you.

Teach your freshman how to do laundry, make a bed and clean a bathroom The last one may surprise you, but your child will end up in a suite with a bathroom they will share with one other person; they’ll be responsible for cleaning it. Instruct them now to save yourself from viewing a scary sight Parent’s Weekend. If you’re still washing their clothes and making their bed, now’s the time to pass the baton, whether they’re staying home or going away.

Focus on the important matters  Start discussing how rules and expectations will change in the fall. Talk to your students about the ways that they would feel most supported during their time in college. Talk with your child about major topics: academic expectations, money matters, social choices and communication.

Guide, don’t direct. Rather than expressing your opinion about the best careers or academic choices, ask your child probing questions. When our children own their decisions, they will grow and mature.

Stay on top of emails from the college Encourage your child to do the same. Texas Tech as well as the Terry Foundation sends almost everything by email now, and a lot of those messages are time-sensitive.

If your student hasn’t set up their TTU email account, now is the time. Instructions HERE

DON’T:

Nag about getting ready for college Again, this goes back to the anxiety issue. Of course, once the back-to-college sales begin, usually in late July or early August, start shopping for the extra-long sheets, towels, etc. The point is, don’t make the whole summer about prepping to leave.

Take a "slow cooker" approach—make the preparation process last and linger. Don't procrastinate on buying and packing things so that you have a panicked surge at the end. Give your student time to process and mentally prepare for what is coming.

Insist on more family time  You could make your child want to spend less time with you. Instead, plan for everyone to be a part of a couple of family dinners each week.

Continue family activities like going on vacation together, taking in a movie, or going to a ballgame or concert if that’s the normal dynamic for your household. Don’t suddenly add a bunch of events to make up for lost time because they’ll see right through that move.

Accept that the siblings might want some time together, too, without mom and dad.

Share your own anxiety or repeatedly mention how much you’re going to miss them You might make your kid feel guilty for going away and that’s not fair. Remember, as parents, our job is to raise our children to be able to leave the nest someday.

Announce your plans to turn their bedroom into your exercise room At this point in the process, kids want to know that home will still be home when they come back. They need that sense of security.

Plan to move, unless your job requires relocation Think about this rationally. If you move out of town once your child heads off to college, what will life be like for them when they’re “home” on breaks and summer vacation? They won’t have anyone to hang out with because all their friends will be somewhere else.

Take a deep breath. The summer before freshman year can be fun if you approach it correctly.

article from http://parentsguidetothecollegepuzzle.com/2012/06/07/dos-and-donts-for-the-summer-before-freshman-year/