While spring break may only be a week, it offers students a well-deserved break from the spring semester. Whether your student is coming home, staying in Tuscaloosa, or going on a trip, it is a great opportunity to connect with your UA student. This is a time to look at their academic progress, solidify plans for the remainder of the term and the summer, and begin looking ahead to the fall semester.
Broken down by first-year, continuing, or final-year students, this checklist is designed for families of The University of Alabama students to use as a conversation starter for you and your student during spring break.
Want to print this checklist to write on it? Download this printable version, but come back to this webpage for linked resources.
First-Year Students
By now, your student has officially finished their first semester and is likely finding their rhythm at UA. Spring break is a pivotal moment to check in. Use the questions below to guide your conversations as they navigate the halfway point of spring semester and begin looking toward their summer plans and sophomore year.
Well-Being
- How are you doing?
- How would you rate your stress level right now?
- Are you able to get to class every day?
- What does relaxing and recharging look like to you over the break?
- What has been the best part of your semester?
Well-Being Resources
Summer Plans
- Will you be taking summer courses?
- Have you thought about your plan for summer? Are you coming home or staying in Tuscaloosa? What does that look like? Will you have a summer job?
Employment Resources
Resume
- Do you have a resume? If no, can we find time over break to start your resume from one of the templates on the Career Center webpage?
- What activities or opportunities can you do over the next semester or year to add experience to your resume?
Resume Resources
Academic
- How is your semester going?
- What are you working on in your classes right now?
- What class(es) are you feeling confident about? What class(es) are you a little nervous about?
Staying on Track
- Are you registered for classes for the fall semester? If so, what are you taking?
Looking to the Future
- Have you submitted your FAFSA yet?
- Have you applied for any scholarships for the following year?
Financial Resources
First-Year Checklist
Review DegreeWorks
Go through your student’s DegreeWorks with them and discuss their remaining classes, when they plan to take them and their timeline to graduation.
Car Maintenance
Spring break is a great time to do routine maintenance of your student’s car, such as checking on the battery life, tire rotations and oil changes.
Plan Summer Break
Plan out what summer break looks like.
Finalize FAFSA and Scholarships
Finalize any applications for FAFSA or scholarships.
Finalize Summer Employment and Classes
Finalize summer employment, summer classes and/or internships.
Continuing Students
By now, your student likely has their routine down to a science. However, spring break is a great opportunity to check in with your student as a “halfway” point through the semester. Utilize the questions below to help guide you through conversations with your student as you look towards the summer and fall semester.
Well-Being
- How are you doing?
- How would you rate your stress level right now?
- Are you able to get to class every day?
- What does relaxing and recharging look like to you over the break?
- What has been the best part of your semester?
Well-Being Resources
Internships and Summer Plans
- Do you have a plan for the summer? If your degree requires an internship, have you secured one or started the application process?
- Will you be taking summer courses?
- Have you met with the Career Center to talk about how to get an internship?
- Have you thought about your plan for summer? Are you coming home or staying in Tuscaloosa? What does that look like? Will you have a summer job?
Internship Resources
Resume
- Do you have a resume? If no, can we find time over break to start your resume from one of the templates on the Career Center webpage?
- What activities or opportunities can you do over the next semester or year to add experience to your resume?
Resume Resources
Academic
- How is your semester going?
- What are you working on in your classes right now?
- What class(es) are you feeling confident about? What class(es) are you a little nervous about?
Staying on Track
- Are you on track to graduate on time? If yes, what courses do you still need to take to complete course requirements? If no, what is your new expected graduation date?
- What classes do you plan on taking in the fall?
- Have you met with an academic advisor to finalize your degree plan for graduation?
Advising Resources
Looking to the Future
- What is your plan for post-graduation?
- If you intend to pursue a higher degree, have you talked with the Career Center about what you can do to prepare?
- Have you submitted your FAFSA yet?
- Have you applied for any scholarships for the following year?
Future Resources
Continuing Checklist
Review DegreeWorks
Go through your student’s DegreeWorks with them and discuss their remaining classes, when they plan to take them and their timeline to graduation.
Discuss Post-Graduation Plans
Talk through your student’s plans for post-graduation. Discuss if there are any opportunities that need to be explored or planned out for now (such as a Study Abroad experience, summer internships, attending upcoming Career Fairs or preparing for required testing for graduate schools).
Car Maintenance
Spring break is a great time to do routine maintenance of your student’s car, such as checking on the battery life, tire rotations and oil changes.
Plan Summer Break
Plan out what summer break looks like.
Finalize FAFSA and Scholarships
Finalize any applications for FAFSA or scholarships.
Finalize Summer Employment and Classes
Finalize summer employment, summer classes and/or internships.
Final-Year Students
As a final-year student, your student’s time here at UA is winding down. However, we suggest reviewing the questions in the First-Year and Continuing Student sections as some of the questions may be relevant to your student’s experience. However, the questions below are meant to be supplemental to prepare for your student’s last semester to help navigate this next chapter!
Checking in
- As you enter your last semester, how are you feeling?
- Do you feel prepared for your next step after graduation?
- What is your backup plan for if things don’t work out the way you want them to?
- As you enter the last few weeks of college, how are you feeling?
- What are you most excited about?
- Is there anything I/we can support you on?
Checking In Resources
Support
- What does support look like to you over the next semester?
- How and to what level do you want us/me to support you as graduation approaches?
- After graduation, how will financial support shift?
- Is there anything we can do now to prepare for a shift in financial responsibility?
Applying for Jobs
- Have you applied for any jobs yet?
- Do you feel prepared for the job interviewing process?
- If you get a job offer, what does support from us/me look like? (Family Members: It’s important for you to think if you have any expectations for your student to notify you or include you in the process for when/if they accept or decline a job offer.)
Application Resources
Salary and Benefits
- What is your target salary?
- What would be the monthly gross versus net income of that salary?
- Have you thought about how you’ll handle your taxes and what forms you will need?
- Thinking through your monthly bills, potential educational loan repayments, etc. Is that enough money realistically?
- Do you understand 401K/retirement plans? If no, can we do some research together to ensure you’re informed about your options?
- Do you understand health care benefits packages? If no, can we do some research together to ensure you’re informed about your options?
Financial Resources
Final-Year Checklist
Review DegreeWorks
Go through your student’s DegreeWorks together with them. With it being the last semester, it is good to ensure they are registered for all classes they need to satisfy their degree requirements.
Check Diploma Information
Remind your student to confirm their name and mailing address for the diploma on their application in myBama.
Plan Final Semester Expenses
Factor in graduation fees, regalia, senior photos, and celebration costs.
Check for Holds
Make sure your student clears all financial/academic holds to avoid delays.
Book Hotel/Lodging Early
Tuscaloosa fills up fast during graduation weekend. Reserve accommodations ASAP.
Order Cap and Gown
Confirm your student orders official UA regalia through the Supe Store.
Schedule Senior Portraits
If your student wants graduation photos, book a session as soon as possible.
Start Job or Graduate School Planning
Support your student with resume reviews, interview prep and career services.
Review Commencement Info
Visit the UA Commencement website for ceremony times, parking, and livestream links.
Make a General Plan for Post-Graduation
Noting the above questions, make a general plan for post-graduation, knowing that it may need to shift if your student’s post-graduation plan does not go exactly as expected.
Review the Graduation Website
Look for information related to the schedule, guest attendance, and other critical to-dos for graduation.
Schedule Dinner Reservations
Restaurants in Tuscaloosa get booked quickly.
Monitor Diploma Delivery
Diplomas are typically mailed 6–8 weeks after graduation.
Get Involved
Encourage involvement in the UA National Alumni Association.
Leave a Legacy
Have your student donate to the UA Senior Legacy Society to get a special medallion to wear for graduation.