Dear Parents and Families of Students in the Class of 2029:
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it is hard to believe that members of the Class of 2029 have almost completed their first semester. After Thanksgiving, students will start working on final papers and projects, and preparing study notes for final exams.
Thanksgiving break runs Wednesday 11/26/25 through Sunday 11/30/25. Classes end on Friday 12/12/25 and reading period and final exams take place from Saturday 12/13/25 through Saturday 12/20/25. Housing closes at 12:00 noon on Sunday 12/2/251 and reopens on Sunday 1/18/26. Spring semester classes begin on Thursday 1/22/26.
By the end of the first week of January, students can login to their WesPortal to view their fall semester final grades as long as they have submitted their faculty evaluations. Parents and families are naturally curious about these grades, and most students are proud to share this information, especially when the grades are good; however, sometimes, especially when students feel dissatisfied with their performance, they may be reluctant to share this information with others.
In a situation like this, instead of pressing the question, it can be helpful to shift the topic of conversation from “What were your grades?” to more open-ended questions such as “What did you learn?,” “What was your favorite class?,” “Can I read one of your papers?” I often remark to students that it’s not about what you earn, it’s what you learn. If this line of inquiry leads you to sense that your student is struggling, it’s always good to ask: “Have you seen your class dean?”
The first semester of college is a whirlwind of activity. While academic life is at the heart of the Wesleyan experience, life beyond the classroom is just as important. Students are expected to develop friendships, participate in clubs or athletic opportunities, or even work on campus in a part-time job – all while managing a rigorous academic course load. All new students face the challenge of refashioning high school work habits and social skills to meet the academic and co-curricular demands of the college environment. While most students eventually figure out how to make this move, even the most well adjusted students will feel stressed out at times.
Winter break is a good time to inquire into how the transition to college is going. Suggested questions include: “How are you making friends?,” “How are you managing your time?,” “Are you enjoying Wesleyan?,” and “How do you deal with the stresses of college life?”
Also, as you may or may not be aware, Wesleyan offers students the opportunity to participate in a two week Winter Session intensive learning experience. Students who take part in the program can return to campus in early January if they are taking an in-person class. Other courses will be available online and students can attend virtually. Registration closes Friday 12/12/25. Students interested in the program should contact the Winter Session office with the information provided on that office’s website.
I will be writing to you again at the start of the Spring semester. In the meantime, please encourage your student to get in touch if they have any questions or concerns.
Take care,
Kelly Dunn, Ed.D.
Dean for the Class of 2029
kmdunn@wesleyan.edu
https://classof2029.blogs.wesleyan.edu/