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Now that finals are over, encourage your student to take some time to reflect on the past year. What were their highlights? What classes did they enjoy? Are they happy with their grades? Is there anything they wish they had done differently?

Depending on the answers to these questions, there are ways your student can use the summer to get ready for their next year. Here are some things to consider.

Making new friends and getting involved

Is your student looking to meet new friends and get more involved on campus next year? Whether it’s joining a new student organization, volunteering or becoming a peer tutor, getting involved can provide many benefits for students in their second, third or final year. These include:

• Meeting new people and making friends
• Gaining experience for their resume
• Exploring new interests and hobbies
• Expanding on their academic studies
• Finding opportunities for leadership experience

Encourage your student to spend time over the summer exploring new ways to get involved. If they are already involved in an organization or program, encourage them to explore leadership roles and opportunities.

Finding internships

If your student is planning to have an internship in the near future, it can help to start preparing early. One of the best places for CU students to find jobs and internships is Handshake. This is your student’s free one-stop shop for starting their career journey, and CU’s online recruiting tool used by thousands of employers. It’s available to all CU students, regardless of their major or year. Handshake is also where students can learn about career fairs and events throughout the year. If your student hasn’t set up their free Handshake account yet, encourage them to register today.

If your student has questions about navigating their internship or job search, encourage them to get started with Career Services.

Establishing rapport with faculty and staff

Faculty and staff at CU can be an influential presence in your student’s journey. They may be someone who offers great advice, helps your student accomplish their goals or is there to talk things out. Additionally, they also might share opportunities outside of the classroom, such as research projects or internships, and be willing to write letters of recommendation.

As your student moves further into their academic program and gets involved on campus, they can begin establishing rapport with the faculty and staff they meet. To start, encourage your student to attend faculty office hours during their first week of classes to introduce themselves. They can ask for guidance or tips for academic success in their class, or ask questions to get to know their professor better. Suggest that they plan to attend office hours regularly throughout the semester.

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