Planning for Next Year

This article is written by New Student Programs (Division of Student Affairs), which is comprised of Orientation and First Year Experience.  Our team is dedicated to supporting newstudents' transition into and through UC Davis.

It’s June and the 2025-26 academic year has finished.  If this was your student’s first year at UC Davis, congratulations!  This was a significant transition for both of you, and you made it.  

This month, we are focusing on conversations we recommend you and your student have over the summer to prepare for living off campus next year. If your student lived with Student Housing and Dining Services, there were a lot of resources provided that eased their transition into the university, such as meals, convenient access to campus, programs and events to help find community and succeed in all areas of life,  and academic support such as FYE peer mentors and convenient study spaces. And don’t forget – their bathroom cleaned! If your student has chosen to return to living on campus, some of these topics may still apply.

If your student is moving off campus next year, they will continue to have access to the many resources the university provides, but it will not be as convenient as it was living on campus. It is helpful to talk to your students and come up with a plan to help them be successful next year.  Below are some topics and questions to consider discussing:

Finances

1.  How will your student manage their finances?  How do they pay their rent, utilities, etc.?
2. Would a budget be helpful, and if so, can they create one?  
3. Will they need a job and if so, how much money will they need each week?

There are many student employment options at UC Davis.  If your student is looking for ​a job, they should check out Handshake for job opportunities on and off campus.

Managing Time

1. If your student is living off campus they will need more time for commuting back and forth to campus, whether by bike, bus or car.
2. How will they get to campus?  
3. How long will it take?  
4. What will they do with the time in between classes?  Will they go home or find a place to study on campus?

There are many workshops available to students, including workshops on time ​management through Success Coaching and Learning Strategies.

Basic needs

1. What will they do for meals each day?
2. When and where will they grocery shop?
3. Will they buy food on campus or bring their food to camps? Where can they heat up food on campus?
4. What needs to be prepared in advance and when will they do that with their busy schedule?
5. Are there any concerns about paying for rent?

UC Davis has a Basic Needs Center, called Aggie Compass.  More information can be found here.

Studying

1. Where will your student study?  
2. Is there a place in their house or apartment complex conducive for studying?  Where on campus do they want to study?  
3. What are the options available?

Success Coaching and Learning Strategies provides workshops on studying too!

There may be other topics that are important to you and/or your student, and we encourage you to discuss those too.  The topics suggested are ones that we know are most common for students to struggle with.  

The biggest takeaway is that if your student is moving off campus for the first time or has been living off campus but still struggles with some of the topics listed above, they are not alone and there are many campus resources to help them.  It is important for them to be aware of what they are struggling with and take initiative to ask for help as soon as they realize they are struggling.  

If you have been following our newsletter content each month, thank you, and we hope that you have found it to be valuable not only for your student, but your transition as well.  It is a big transition for everyone, and we hope this information has made it a bit easier.  

We are always looking to improve our content. If you have feedback or ideas for academic or career topics that we could include next year to better serve families, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email comments to the First Year Experience program.

One final reminder, summers are meant to be enjoyed, and we hope that you and your student are able to find time to incorporate those things that bring you joy.  You and your student deserve it!