My name is Kelli Lariscy. I am proud to serve you as the vice president of the Georgia Southern University Parent & Family Association Parent Council. I graduated from Georgia Southern in 1991 with a BSED in Spanish education. I have been teaching in the Effingham County School System ever since, most recently at South Effingham High School for the past twelve years. I live in Guyton, Georgia, with my husband of twenty five years, Jeff Lariscy, who is also a Georgia Southern graduate. We have four children: Michaela, who graduated from Georgia Southern in December 2014 and will be teaching fourth grade in an Athens area school this coming year; David, a sophomore English major; and Lukas and Caitlyn, who are both in high school.
And now, I am happy to share with you, my tips for orientation…
You may have plans to attend a SOAR session with your student this summer. Not too long ago, I was in your shoes. In fact, I’ve been there twice now, four years ago with my oldest daughter Michaela and, most recently, last summer with my oldest son David. In the meantime, I’ve been busy volunteering at countless SOAR sessions, and I’ve learned some things along the way.
Maybe this is your first child to leave home, and you don’t know what to expect, or maybe this is your baby, and you think you know all there is to know about this process. It doesn’t matter, please, please, please go to every session. I can’t tell you how many times I have been walking around campus and seen parents (and students) hanging out, reading the newspaper, eating an ice cream cone, or just relaxing, when I know they are supposed to be in a session. Our orientation office spends a lot of time planning SOAR every year. I know from experience that SOAR is not the same year after year. So, even if you’ve been before, please be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. You don’t want to miss anything!
Next, please dress comfortably and wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Southeast Georgia is usually hot and humid in the summer. Please dress accordingly. If you tend to get cold in air conditioned environments, you may want to carry a light sweater or jacket. You’re going to be doing a great deal of walking. Wear shoes that will offer the support you need. Finally, we often have late afternoon showers; you may want to pack an umbrella or two.
In conclusion, you are only going to have this special experience with this particular child one time. Most of the time, you are going to be separated from your student. You will have sessions that were designed to deliver the necessary information you need to be prepared financially and emotionally, as well as sessions on how to make sure your student is prepared for this important transition. Meanwhile, your student’s days are going to be jam packed with important information that is crucial to his or her successful adjustment to college. However, there will be times that you are back together. Of course, you are going to be curious about your student’s experiences, but don’t overwhelm him or her with questions. Of course, no one knows your child better than you do. You’ve been doing this for a long time, and you must have done a great job. After all, look how far you’ve come and look where you’ve landed! Relax! Enjoy! You’ve got this!
And now, I am happy to share with you, my tips for orientation…
You may have plans to attend a SOAR session with your student this summer. Not too long ago, I was in your shoes. In fact, I’ve been there twice now, four years ago with my oldest daughter Michaela and, most recently, last summer with my oldest son David. In the meantime, I’ve been busy volunteering at countless SOAR sessions, and I’ve learned some things along the way.
Maybe this is your first child to leave home, and you don’t know what to expect, or maybe this is your baby, and you think you know all there is to know about this process. It doesn’t matter, please, please, please go to every session. I can’t tell you how many times I have been walking around campus and seen parents (and students) hanging out, reading the newspaper, eating an ice cream cone, or just relaxing, when I know they are supposed to be in a session. Our orientation office spends a lot of time planning SOAR every year. I know from experience that SOAR is not the same year after year. So, even if you’ve been before, please be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. You don’t want to miss anything!
Next, please dress comfortably and wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Southeast Georgia is usually hot and humid in the summer. Please dress accordingly. If you tend to get cold in air conditioned environments, you may want to carry a light sweater or jacket. You’re going to be doing a great deal of walking. Wear shoes that will offer the support you need. Finally, we often have late afternoon showers; you may want to pack an umbrella or two.
In conclusion, you are only going to have this special experience with this particular child one time. Most of the time, you are going to be separated from your student. You will have sessions that were designed to deliver the necessary information you need to be prepared financially and emotionally, as well as sessions on how to make sure your student is prepared for this important transition. Meanwhile, your student’s days are going to be jam packed with important information that is crucial to his or her successful adjustment to college. However, there will be times that you are back together. Of course, you are going to be curious about your student’s experiences, but don’t overwhelm him or her with questions. Of course, no one knows your child better than you do. You’ve been doing this for a long time, and you must have done a great job. After all, look how far you’ve come and look where you’ve landed! Relax! Enjoy! You’ve got this!