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.