Fall in The Forest
It’s the start of fall in The Forest! We hope your student is beginning to feel settled and at home, whether they’re new to The Forest or returning for another year.
This month, we’re sharing reminders for living safely and healthily on campus, tips for navigating roommate dynamics, and ways families of #WFU30 can help their new Deacs get connected.
Staying Safe and Healthy
A few helpful reminders for students living on campus:
Supporting Your Student Through Roommate Dynamics
As the newness of the semester wears off, small roommate frustrations can sometimes become bigger concerns. While a room change may occasionally be necessary, we encourage students to first practice communication, active listening and conflict-resolution skills.
Families can help by:
- Listening and providing support and perspective.
- Encouraging empathy by helping your student consider their roommate’s perspective.
- Encouraging direct communication about concerns before frustrations build.
- Letting your student take the lead in resolving the issue and developing healthy conflict-resolution skills.
- Encouraging “I” statements: I feel ___ when ___ because ___, so I’m hoping ___.
If your student needs additional support, encourage them to reach out to their RA. RAs use the LARA listening model — Listen, Affirm/Acknowledge, Respond and Add — to help students navigate challenging conversations. If additional assistance is needed, Community Directors can help determine next steps.
Encourage Your Deac to Get Connected!
For families of #WFU30, encourage your student to connect with their Faculty Fellows if they haven’t already. Faculty Fellows help students build connections, find support and become engaged in their residential communities.
Students can also participate in Wake the Forest, a series of events designed to help new Deacs build meaningful connections and find their place in the Wake Forest community.
We look forward to continuing our partnership in your student’s journey at Wake Forest. Questions or feedback? Contact us during business hours at 336.758.5185 or .