As the semester winds down, students are focusing on final exams and projects and looking ahead to summer. For some, that means commencement and seeing family. Others may be starting a summer internship, taking summer classes, or traveling to a new place.
Regardless of their plans, now is a great time to check in with your student. A little encouragement can go a long way to help them focus leading up to finals. Now is also a good time to reflect on what they’ve accomplished this year and ask how you can help them finish strong.
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Finals week takes place May 11-15. Encourage your student to take advantage academic resources and services that offer support across a wide range of courses and topics, including tutoring and writing assistance.
Academic resources
Additional academic services
Finals at IMU
The Iowa Memorial Union will host dozens of free events and services during finals week, including a free pancake breakfast, fitness classes, therapy dog sessions, and more. The full schedule is posted at imu.uiowa.edu/finals. Encourage your student to take study breaks and join their friends at the IMU.
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Safety and support resources
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The safety and well-being of your student matters. These resources can help them stay safe and get support when they need it:
If your student needs support, they have options — and many are free and confidential. A comprehensive directory is available on this site. Additionally, these services are great starting points for mental health or well-being support:
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Parents, families can soon opt-in to Hawk Alert text messages for one year
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Campus Safety will soon offer a new one‑year opt‑in option for Hawk Alert text messages, making it easier for parents, families, and other campus guests to stay informed during campus emergencies. Beginning June 1, parents and families can enroll in Hawk Alert for one year. The option to enroll for one week remains available. As a reminder, please do not call 911 or Campus Safety for individual updates during an active incident so our first responders can focus on managing the situation. Read more here.
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Football ticket sales for returning students suspended
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Football season ticket sales for returning students are currently suspended. Additional student tickets may, but are not guaranteed to, become available at a later date. Questions may be directed to the UI Athletics Ticket Office, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1-800-IA-HAWKS or tickets@hawkeyesports.com.
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Tuition increase approved for upcoming school year
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The Iowa Board of Regents approved a tuition increase that will take effect in fall 2026. Undergraduate tuition will increase $287 for residents and $475 for nonresidents, while graduate tuition will increase $360 for residents and $464 for nonresidents.
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Save the date: Family Weekend 2026
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Mark your calendars for Family Weekend coming up on Sept. 18-20! With a home football game against the University of Northern Iowa, it is sure to be an exciting and busy weekend in Iowa City. While registration opens in June, we encourage families to make lodging arrangements early due to high demand. Updates and information will be posted on our page as they become available. We look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall!
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May commencement reminders
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Residence hall move-out information
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If your student lives in a residence hall, now is a good time to make a move-out plan. The move-out housing portal opened this week. Visit this page for upcoming important dates and details.
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Featured Family: Karen, Mark, Claire, and Spencer Forbes
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Claire Forbes first pictured herself at Iowa when she was 8 years old. Now a second-year human physiology major, she and her family continue to make new memories in Iowa City.
Read more here.
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Student spotlight: Lexi Avila
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In this month’s video spotlight, Lexi Avila shares her experience working as a personal trainer for Recreational Services. On the job, Avila has built genuine relationships and gained insight into her plans to become an athletic trainer. Watch her story here. |
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Conversation starters
The end of the semester is a good time to call your student, offer encouragement, and help them think through how to finish the semester strong. Here are some conversation starters:
- What’s your favorite memory from this school year?
- What are the big assignments you’re working on or tests you’re preparing for?
- How can we help you prepare for finals?
- What are your plans or goals this summer?
- What’s one class or experience that surprised you this year?
Upcoming events for students
Each month we share a small selection of events to help you learn about the types of opportunities available at Iowa. See something that might interest your student? Share it with them! The full calendar is available at events.uiowa.edu.
- Dance Graduate Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, May 7— Saturday, May 9
The Department of Dance presents works choreographed by graduate students. The performances are free and open to the public.
Space Place Theater, 20 Davenport St.
- Intersection A Cappella
1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 10
Enjoy a free performance by Intersection A Cappella, a University of lowa tenor-bass a cappella group.
Voxman Music Building, Stark Opera Studio
- Study at the Stanley
10 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday, May 12–Thursday, May 14
Students can study for finals at the Stanley Museum of Art and enjoy free drinks, snacks, study supplies, and short gallery breaks.
Stanley Museum of Art
- Celebrating Graduates: Pictures on the Pentacrest
9:30 a.m.–noon, Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16
Graduates and families can stop by for free professional photos on the Pentacrest, sponsored by the UI Center for Advancement.
University of Iowa Pentacrest
About this message
You’re receiving Parent and Family News because you’ve been identified as a parent or family member of a current student at Iowa or you’ve subscribed using our form. Learn more about the newsletter or the Iowa Parent and Family Program
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