Greeting

The end of a semester is filled with mixed emotions for students. Excitement to return home, relief after finishing final exams, sadness to be leaving friends, and many more. The mix of emotions for seniors is even more dramatic with graduation and “the real world” looming. When your student returns home, you are welcoming back an exhausted mess of mixed feelings, and this will change the peaceful environment to which all of you “ex-Empty Nesters ” have been experiencing.

Know that your student is excited to return home, just as you are excited to have them home, but that you both will be sharing frustrations as everyone adjusts to the changes that will come. Feeling frustrated that your student has managed to forget how to put their laundry away? They may be feeling nagged or annoyed by their high school chore schedule that is now back in place. Younger siblings may feel like attention has shifted to their Biola sibling and tension may arise.

Don’t expect for your family and your student to go back to “normal.” They have spent a year away at Biola and they have developed new thoughts, habits, and opinions. Your student will see changes in you that you may not have noticed and may be just as confused. I remember coming home to discover my dad had taken up hiking (in the Arizona heat, I might add) and bought a new dog. It was something new and fun to him that made me realize that home had changed in ways just as dramatically as I had.

Your nest may be full again for a few short months or your student may be moving back in until opportunity comes along. No matter what the circumstance, you and your student are nearing another change that can bring about stressful situations. Here are a few of tips as you prepare to have your Biola student home again:

• Make sure expectations are clear - if you and your student know what to expect of the time at home, whether for the summer or indefinitely, it will be easier on both of you.
• Minimize the pressure - questions like “So what are you going to do now?” or “When do you plan on getting a job?” can make your stressed student even more frantic. They probably know you want them to get a job and would like the financial independence as well, but the pressure can create tension. Help them by encouraging them in their search; remind them that their hard work will pay off.
• Don’t do it for them - for those students who need more help, point them towards resources like Biola’s Career Development Office. Doing things for them, whether job search or the laundry, can hurt in the long run as they need the opportunity to learn on their own.
• Express excitement - be happy to have them home and join their excitement for the new chapter ahead. The college journey is taken by more than just the student, so share joy during this time together!

We at Biola have had a great year watching your students grow into young adults and experience all of the opportunities this time holds for them. Summer isn’t here yet, so make sure you give your student a call and encourage them during this stressful time of the semester.

Blessings,

Shannon Baker, Office of Parent Relations

Biola Weekend 2013

Mark your calendars and plan to attend Biola Weekend 2013! Spend a weekend with your Biola student to visit their home away from home and experience the best of Biola!

• Faculty Receptions and Academic Showcases

• Punk n’ Pie

• 5K Run/Walk

• “State of the University” lunch with President Barry H. Corey

• Live musical performances

• Saturday Street Fair with arts and crafts, non-profit organizations and activities for children

The complete schedule and registration will be available in July. Click here to learn more.

Biola Bookstore Under New Management

Biola University is pleased to announce its partnership with Follett Higher Education Group, the nation’s largest operator of college and university stores. Follett is scheduled to begin managing the Biola Bookstore on July 1, 2013. While under new management, the bookstore will retain its Biola employees.

After much research and exploring many options, Follett has been identified as the company with the best experience, resources, technology, and course material offerings to support Biola’s students, faculty, and staff. Follett will assist with providing improved services to the Biola community while keeping costs low.

Read more about the changes that will be made to the Biola Bookstore, including a new textbook rental program and $5,000 textbook scholarship.

Women's Track and Field Wins GSAC Title

Biola's women's track and field team won its first-ever GSAC Track and Field Championship while the men finished a program-best third place overall at the 2013 GSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on April 26 and 27 at Westmont College.

Read more about the history-making season here.

Congratulations to the women's track and field team! Biola is proud of you!

Chapel

Monday, May 6
Bible series
Nancy Grisham- Livin' Ignited

Wednesday, May 8
International Students Chapel

Thursday, May 9
Voices from the Asian American Community  

Friday, May 10
The Dwelling chapel
Reflection on Monday's chapel

Monday, May 13
Bible series
Andy Draycott- Biblical & Theological Studies

Wednesday, May 15
Sound & Spirit Chapel

Thursday, May 16
Spoken Word Poetry

Friday, May 17
Offerings worship chapel
Final morning chapel of semester

Chapels will not be offered during finals week.  Makeups are due by Friday, May 17, 2013 at 4:00 pm or students will be charged a fine.

Important Dates

Final Exam week
Monday, May 20-24 

Baccalaureate Service
Thursday, May 23

Spring Commencement 
Friday, May 24 

Summer School Session I
May 28-June 14

Summer School Session II
June 17-July 19

Enrollment and payment for Fall 2013
July 29-August 15

Move-in for returning students
August 24-27

Classes begin
August 28

Last day to complete late enrollment and payment
Friday, September 6

Torrey Memorial Bible Conference
Wednesday, October 16-18

Last day to withdraw from classes and receive a partial refund
Friday, October 25

Biola Weekend
October 25-26
Learn more

Academic Advising for Spring 2014
Monday, November 4-15

Registration for Interterm and Spring 2014
Monday, Nov. 18-Dec. 13

Thanksgiving break 
Wednesday, Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Final exam week
Monday, December 16-20

Fall Commencement 
Friday, December 20

View the Academic Calendar