| Dear Class of 2029, ::Lengthy post alert:: We are halfway through the summer, so rather than list upcoming deadlines, let’s reflect on the college transition. Below are topics to get you thinking about issues you may experience in the fall; I will share additional topics in my final August email. Chat now with friends, family and consider talking with a Peer Advisor about how you will approach each issue related to the college transition below. Student Autonomy As you embark on your college experience, you will likely notice a shift in how you as a student are expected to approach your education. It is Wesleyan’s expectation that any student questions or concerns are investigated by the student, which may be a shift in how your support system of parents, guardians, and coaches operated in the past. If one of your family members has a question or a concern, we encourage you to speak with your family directly. If a conversation with professional staff seems helpful, you as the student must take the lead to schedule and attend the meeting. With your permission, family members are welcome to join the conversation. Our approach reflects a necessary shift that happens in college from “talking about you without you” to “talking about you with you.” It’s centered in supporting your growth, voice, and autonomy while keeping the lines of communication open and collaborative. It’s beneficial to share this expectation with your family now prior to your arrival on campus. Interactions with Faculty and Professional Staff As you enter Wesleyan, your support network will expand. This will include your liberal arts advisor, class dean, faculty, residential peer and professional staff, etc. These are new relationships, and all new relationships require some adjustment time. To set you up for success, we want you to understand that conversing with faculty and staff in college may look different than your interactions with teachers and staff in high school. Be respectful, as we will to you, but recognize we are humans with varied interests and competing time commitments. When you send us an email, you should not expect a response right away (and you may not get a response on the same day). While many of us attempt to respond to email or voicemails within 48 hours, that is not always possible especially if your need is not urgent, so patience is necessary. Many offices host daily office hours so if scheduling an appointment feels too far away, stop by our office hours to see if we can assist more quickly. As far as how to address faculty and staff, avoid casual greetings such as “Yo” or “What’s Up.” It’s also inconsiderate to jump into the body of your email without first greeting the person you have reached out to. In your first communication to any faculty member, include a simple “Hello, Professor LAST NAME.” Do not assume professors are okay with you calling them by their first name until they tell you otherwise. You will learn how professors prefer to be addressed on the first day of class and how staff members prefer to be addressed when you first interact with them. Starting formal is a smart approach; you can become less formal as the relationship develops. At Wesleyan, deans often use their professional title, so in my case, please feel free to call me Dean Dunn. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving When we need something, our instinct is to reach out immediately rather than first checking whether we already have the information or can find it through available resources. We understand that emotions can run high depending on the urgency of the situation; however, you’ve been accepted to Wesleyan so we’re confident in your ability to think critically and problem-solve before reaching out for help. One of the most valuable skills you’ll develop in college is learning to trust your own analytical abilities. When you encounter a challenge — whether it’s navigating course registration, understanding an assignment, or figuring out campus resources — take a moment to ask yourself: “What information do I need, and where might I find it?” You’d be surprised how often the answer is within reach through the syllabus, academic department website, student handbook, or a quick online search. This isn’t about being self-reliant to a fault – it’s about building confidence in your ability to think through problems systematically. That said, some situations genuinely require guidance, and I’m here for those moments. If you’ve done some initial exploration and still feel stuck, or if you’re dealing with something complex, please reach out. The goal isn’t to avoid asking for help; it’s to develop the judgment to know when you’ve given your best effort and when it’s time to seek support. Think of it this way: when you come to me having already tried to work through something, our conversation becomes much more productive. You can tell me what you’ve already discovered and where you’re getting stuck, which helps me give you better, more targeted guidance. So as warned that was a long message, though a message filled with important considerations for your college transition. Remember, Wesleyan accepted you for your curiosity and your brilliance – you got this! |