By Joanne Goldwater, Associate Dean for Retention & Student Success/
Seahawk Family Liaison
April, 2026
As the academic year comes to a close, students are preparing for finals, move-out, and summer plans. This time of year can feel busy and stressful, but with some planning and support, it can also be a great opportunity for reflection, growth, and preparation for next year.

This Time of Year Can Be Challenging

Students have a lot on their plates right now: completing major assignments, final exams, St. Mary’s Project (SMP) presentations for seniors, finishing room selection for the fall, academic planning, finalizing summer plans, saying goodbye to friends, significant others, faculty/staff for three months (or longer for graduating seniors). Often, motivation dips and stress levels go up.

How can parents/families help? Help your student prioritize what’s going on. Encourage them to use campus resources (it’s never too late!). Normalize stress and help them plan ahead. Please focus on what they are learning and their effort, progress, and persistence (and not just on grades).

Encourage your student to write down (on a calendar or in a planner) exam dates, due dates for assignments, papers, projects, and presentations. Help them work backward to make a study plan. Recommend that they study in focused blocks of time and to start early to reduce stress. Remind them that this is a short, important stretch (they will be finished soon!). Suggest healthy routines for sleep, meals, study time, and exercise.

Red Flags Parents Should Watch For

You may want to encourage your student to seek help if they:

• Stop attending classes
• Miss major assignment deadlines
• Talk about failing multiple courses
• Seem overwhelmed or shut down
• Are not registered for next semester
• Avoid checking email or communicating with professors

What Not to Say

• Why didn’t you start earlier?
• You just need to work harder.
• This is unacceptable.
• You’re going to fail if you don’t fix this.
• You need to figure this out right now.
• When I was in college, I never ….

What to Say

• What’s your plan for finishing the semester strong?
• How can I support you?
• What are your biggest priorities right now?
• Have you talked with your professors, advisor, or OS3?
• Let’s think through your next steps together.
• I know you can handle this. You’ve done hard things before.

What Parents Should Know About Move-Out

At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, students are required to move out of their residence halls within 24 hours after their last final exam or by noon on May 12 (whichever comes first). Students must clean their room, remove all personal belongings, reset furniture to its original layout, and complete the checkout process with a Resident Assistant or through Express Checkout. Failure to properly check out can result in fines.

Encourage your student to plan ahead. Packing early and removing items they no longer need before finals week can reduce stress and help them focus on academics during the final weeks of the semester.

Summer Housing and Summer Opportunities

SMCM offers limited summer housing for students (including students who graduate in May) who are enrolled in summer classes, participating in programs such as St. Mary’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), or working on- or off-campus (students must work at least 25 hours per week if living on campus for summer employment). Summer housing typically runs from mid-May through early August. Residence Life has already emailed students with instructions about registering for summer housing. If your student is interested, please encourage them to follow up.

Summer is one of the most valuable times in a student’s college career. Whether they are at home or on-campus to take classes, complete an internship, conduct research, work a job, or volunteer, summer experiences help students build skills, explore career interests, and strengthen future job or graduate school applications.

Encourage your student to meet with the Office of Career Development and Community Outreach (formerly CCPD), faculty mentors, or the staff in the Office of Student Success Services (OS3) to talk about how to use their summer strategically.

Looking Ahead for Parents/Families of Graduating Seniors

• Are they living at home? Will they pay rent and/or help with chores?
• Help them work on a professional wardrobe.
• Remind them to update their resume and LinkedIn profile.
• Discuss expectations (Curfew? Use of the family car? Meals? Food in the fridge? Significant other?)

Top 10 Tips for Parents: Move-Out, Summer Success, and the Fall Semester

1. Encourage early packing.
Students should start taking home items they don’t need several weeks before finals so move-out week is less stressful.

2. Talk about storage and transportation early.
Make a plan for what is going home, what is being stored in one of the local (Lexington Park) storage vendors, and what might be donated. The College does not provide on-campus storage and students cannot leave belongings in their rooms over the summer due to summer conferences and maintenance work going on in the residences.

3. Remind your student to clean and check out properly.
Rooms must be cleaned, emptied, and inspected to avoid damage charges. Return room and mailbox keys. *Important information for graduating seniors and their families: Students should vacate their room and check-out BEFORE going to lunch or a graduation party after Commencement on May 16. The ceremony will end around noon. Students living in the residence halls or suites must complete check-out by 3 PM. Students living in the Townhouses or apartments must complete check-out by 5 PM. Please plan accordingly.

4. For Commencement Day

Arrive early on May 16. The ceremony takes place on the Townhouse Green. There are no tickets needed. There is seating under the tent as well as outside of the tent. Dress for the weather (rain or shine) and bring sunscreen. Alcohol and pets need to stay home. We have an official photographer for the event.

5. For seniors not graduating in May

For students graduating at the end of the summer, they need to attend their summer class and finish all work according to the class schedule. If they are taking a course somewhere else, they need to remember to send their transcript with the final grade to SMCM. For students graduating in the fall, they must attend their classes and finish their work by 12/18/26. Remember: 30 of the last 36 credits must be taken at SMCM.

6. Help your student or new graduate make a summer plan.
The most successful students have a plan: job, internship, summer classes, research, or volunteer work. These activities help students build resumes and professional skills.

7. Support independence.
Have your student make the calls, send the emails, schedule appointments, and complete forms themselves. This builds important life skills.

8. Talk about goals for next year.
Summer is a great time for students to reflect: What went well this year? What do they want to improve next year?

9. Planning Ahead for the Fall Semester (for continuing students)

Students should meet with their academic advisor when they return. That will be the time to review their degree requirements and progress. Encourage them to check their class schedule and make schedule changes through 9/11/26. They should also plan for involvement and leadership opportunities.

10. Always Remember…

Your support matters. Students do best when families encourage them, listen, connect students to resources, and remind them that they belong at SMCM and have great futures ahead of them.

Final Thought for Families

The end of the academic year is more than just moving out; it is a transition point. Students are gaining independence, learning responsibility, and preparing for their future. Your role shifts from manager to coach: ask open-ended questions, encourage planning, and help them think about how summer can move them one step closer to their goals.