August 2023 - Time to Transition

I am a soon-to-be parent of a college kid, and as the summer days slowly tick down, I pore over lists of "dos and don'ts" to ensure my child's success. Though at time of writing, we are still a few days away from actual move-in, and with Temple Owls just days away from the start of the new school year, I thought it was worth noting a few things alumni have shared with me about their time at Temple that are invaluable regardless of the transition you may be facing.

 

• Ask questions, and keep asking questions. The knowledge we gain in our own transition can be used to help others.
• Don't forget an umbrella, aka always look for opportunities to be prepared for the future. Sydney Smith, EDU '23, began preparing for a career in education while in high school through the Temple Education Scholars program.
• Try something new. Whether it's a new subject, food, club, app or sport, learning something new activates our brain to create, adapt and restructure, allowing us to adjust to changes. (https://ce.ccsu.edu/what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-learn-a-new-skill)
• Don't be afraid to fail. Our alumni spotlight on Brittany Wickham, EDU '15, this month is just one example of how we learn about ourselves when a path gets detoured.

As always, if you've recently encountered a transition in your life, we want to know about it! Temple Owls influence positive change everywhere, and those stories encourage others. Email us at alumnied@temple.edu. Oh, and by the way, if you happen to see me this fall, I may need a little reassurance that my own college kid is going to be okay, too.

 

All best,

Kirsten Halker-Kratz

Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Relations