UT Martin Parents and Families

09/01/2026

Ok…what would you turn into an ornament??

The ’Ber Months Are Here. 🍂

And while fall is just beginning, we’re already thinking ahead to one of our favorite traditions.

If you could turn ONE piece of UT Martin into an ornament, what would it be?

A favorite campus landmark? A beloved Skyhawk tradition? A place that immediately takes you back to your time at UTM? Or something completely unexpected?

Help Inspire Our 2026 UTM Holiday Ornament by sharing your idea in the comments. 🎄👇

08/31/2026

Today starts week two, and each class should have met at least once by now. Your students should move all assignments and due dates from each syllabus into one calendar/planner. (Calendars can be either electronic or paper – whatever works best for them). This puts all necessary information in one place so there are no surprises. If it’s in the syllabus, it is not a surprise. Plan ahead and work ahead now. Your October self will thank you!

08/26/2026

Classes have just started and Homecoming is just around the corner! A Haunted UTM Homecoming will bring festive fun alongside the UT Martin traditions you know and love. Make plans to join us any/all of the events that week. Details are in the link below.

Celebrate 125 Years of UTM and show your Skyhawk Spirit at UT Martin’s Homecoming Week, October 5–12!

08/24/2026

…and here we go…

08/23/2026

Tomorrow is the first day of class! Before the semester started, we shared some tips that were just for you. Since classes start tomorrow, here are some tips for you to share with your students. We will do this from time to time. Here are tips for tomorrow:

Carry some snacks and water in your backpack. It may take a couple of days to figure out your lunch schedule, to navigate the lines, and to determine how long it actually takes to walk from one place to another. Just in case things take longer than anticipated, be prepared. You don’t have to be hungry, and you don’t have to be late to class.

The syllabus matters. Pay attention to what your professors say about it. Read it to get an idea of what is coming and when. Many of your questions will have the answers in the syllabus.

08/21/2026

I see you. Tired and emotional mom. Quietly reflective dad. Nostalgia, new questions, new fears, new joys, new routines are all unlocked now.

You’ve entrusted your child to UT Martin. It all looked good on paper, but now it is very real. Was it a good decision? Will she find her people here? Will he do all the things you advised him to do? Will the faculty and staff really take care of your child like they said they would? Those apprehensions are valid and real. You’re the parent and this is your child. I see you.

UT Martin is what and who we claim to be. Perfect? No. Striving to challenge and support our students along the way? Yes. Holding them accountable to the community and academic standards? Yes. Removing all obstacles? No. Well, sometimes. Sometimes we can and will remove an obstacle for them. Sometimes they need encouragement and tools to conquer that obstacle themselves.

We are glad your child is here. We are glad you are here. This will be a long race, and we are here for it.

08/20/2026

Move-in Day is in full swing!

08/19/2026

Thank you for following the tips that have been shared with you. Here is the final two as we prepare for move-in tomorrow:

1. (This is a sensitive one). Consider your parting words as you leave campus following move-in. Regardless of the stress, sarcastic comebacks, and impatience that may have been on full display, let your parting words that day be kind and loving. Your children will remember your messages and hold on to them… even if they roll their eyes.

2. Maintain a sense of humor. A little levity is usually a positive thing. You can remember when they were small and some things you just had to laugh at because there was no other choice. One day you can laugh at some of the stories and memories together.

08/18/2026

We are getting closer! Here are a few more tips to share:

1. Today’s tip is a pro-packing tip. When you load the car, truck, van, U-Haul, horse trailer, or whatever your family is bringing, keep essential items on top and easy to locate for quick use. Things like toilet paper, soap, paper towels, etc. That’s because you do NOT want to have to search for those things when they are needed immediately.

2. Students are excited and you are excited (perhaps for different reasons). Remember this is a process. They do not become mature college students overnight. Four months ago, they had to raise their hands to go to the bathroom, and now they are being asked to make lifelong career decisions. It is a process. It takes time to learn how to study, how to play, how to do laundry, how to handle money, and how to manage ourselves. Some lessons will be learned by trial and error, just like many of us did when we were learning to be adults. “You can do this. You belong here” are powerful words.

08/17/2026

Happy Monday! This is such an exciting week. Here are today’s tips to consider as we approach move-in day:

1. Send them hard mail such as handwritten notes and cards, care packages, photos, and newspaper clippings. You may think they don’t care about this, but they value these gestures! They will keep them, and these items will become part of their college memorabilia collection. You may even still have one of these collections of your own! So be sure to get their mailing address before you leave campus.

2. Plan your visit to campus ahead of time. Last-minute or unannounced visits may or may not be welcomed. Give your student time to prepare for you. You may also need to plan for hotel availability, such as Family Weekend and Homecoming. You can bring a surprise with you – food, money, clothes…those are always appreciated. But be sure to give you and your student plenty of time to prepare for those visits.

See you Thursday!