Month: August 2025

Today is the first day of classes, so it seemed like a good time to let you know about resources available to help your student have a successful semester and year.

For those of you who moved your student onto campus for the first time last week, I hope the move-in process went smoothly for you. I know from personal experience that it’s both an exciting and emotional time for both first-year students and their families. We’ll all do our best to make your student feel at home and to provide any assistance they may need in transitioning to college life.

And that doesn’t stop with freshmen. Longwood is committed to helping all students—from freshmen to seniors to transfer students—to be successful.

Resources for Your Student

There are many resources your student can tap into if they need assistance, including a team of staff devoted specifically to student success. You can find out more about these resources on the Student Success Services webpage.

Here are just a few examples:
—Tutoring in many subjects
—Writing Center
—CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)
—Accessibility Resources
—Professors’ weekly student hours

And freshmen have their coaching group and peer mentor as resources as well.

Transitions Group

Also, all students are welcome to participate in the Transitions Group, which is designed to help any student who needs help in adjusting to college. The Transitions Group offers a place for students to get support and to provide support to one another, as well as to learn practical strategies in adjusting to college life. Starting Sept. 2, this group will meet once a week on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Moss Residence Hall sunroom.

Tried-and-True Path to Happiness at College: Getting Involved!

I think getting involved in a student club or organization is one of the top 5 ways your student can find happiness and fulfillment here. Longwood has so many clubs and organizations where students can find their people and make friends. And the beginning of the year is the perfect time to do this—especially for new students because they’re all looking to make connections.

Please encourage your student to attend the Involvement and Volunteer Fair on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 4-6 p.m. on Brock Commons. These student groups and organizations are looking for new members!

From a cappella singing groups to Relay for Life to the Outdoors Club to fraternities and sororities, there is a place here where your student will fit right in.

Second Chances: Students Can Tweak Their Class Schedules During Add-Drop

If your student is struggling in a class or if it wasn’t what they expected—or even if they heard about a class they’d rather take—they have an opportunity for a “do-over” in their class schedule. During the add-drop period, which ends at 5 p.m. on the sixth day of classes—so at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, this semester—they can drop or add a course, or both. For new freshmen and transfer students, this requires approval from their academic advisor; consulting with the academic advisor is encouraged for all students planning to add or drop a course. The procedure usually can be handled through my.longwood.edu using the Schedule Change Form. You and your student should keep in mind that there could be financial ramifications if the number of academic hours in their new schedule exceeds or falls below the tuition rate they paid for the semester. If your student has questions about the financial aspect of adding or dropping a course, they should contact the Office of Student Accounts at studentaccountsoffice@longwood.edu or 434-395-2274.

—Sabrina Brown

With the first day of classes less than a month away, I’m sure many of you are deep into preparations for bringing your student to campus later this month for the 2025-26 academic year.

Part of those preparations may involve making sure your student has the books and other course materials they need for their fall semester classes. As you think about that, please keep in mind the benefits of our new BookBundle program, which is designed to make accessing required course materials easier and often more affordable. Students will receive an email next week with the subject “Access Your Materials” that will provide instructions for accessing their course materials via BookBundle. 

Some students have already decided not to participate in BookBundle, which we understand is a carefully considered and individual decision. For those of you who are still considering your options, here is some information you may find helpful.

BookBundle Benefits 

• Convenient: All required materials based on your student’s course schedule are prepared by the Longwood University Store. No scouring the internet or worries about materials arriving in time. If your student decides to drop a course on or before the last day of the add/drop period, they will receive a full refund automatically.  
•  All Inclusive: With BookBundle, all of your student’s required materials are included in one all-inclusive, no-surprises price that is charged to your student’s account for easy payment each term.
• Digital Access: Digital course materials will be automatically available to your student in Canvas by the first day of class. 
• Print Materials: If physical materials are required, your student will receive an email at their live.longwood.edu address with instructions and information about picking up their materials.  
• Easy Out, Easy Back In: Students not interested in participating in the program can opt out with no penalty by 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (If you have trouble opting out, please contact the Longwood University Store at bookstore@longwood.edu or 434-990-6716.) If your student has already opted out and wants to opt back in, they can do so until the opt-out deadline of 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2. 

If your student decides to opt out, please keep in mind that they are opting out of receiving required materials for all their courses and are responsible for sourcing their own required course materials through the Longwood University Store or elsewhere.  

Need more info or have questions? Visit our BookBundle page and FAQs or reach out to the team at the Longwood University Store at bookstore@longwood.edu or 434-990-6716.

We can’t wait to welcome your student to campus in a few weeks!

 —Sabrina Brown