Supporting students from afar can be hard. We want them to develop independence, yet we can’t be sure what they need to be successful.
Academic Navigators can help. Students can schedule to meet with an Academic Navigator when struggling in a class, facing financial difficulties, experiencing personal challenges, or when they’re simply unsure where to find support. Academic Navigators provide personalized support by helping students develop success plans, connect with campus and community resources, and navigate obstacles that may affect their academic performance or wellbeing.
Questions to Ask Your Student
- When did you last communicate with your Academic Navigator?
Some students benefit from recurring meetings. Others connect only when an issue arises. At the very least, please encourage your student to respond to all text messages. Even a simple “I’m great!” is very helpful. Unless they’re not great, in which case a response is even more helpful.
- Do you have any holds or items on your “to do” list?
Students should check MyRed and their email regularly to avoid issues or resolve them as quickly as possible. Academic Navigators are always eager to help, and they can help more effectively when they’re informed more proactively.
- When does your priority registration begin?
Some courses fill quickly. To increase chances of seizing seats, students should know their registration window (posted in MyRed) and have a schedule – with alternates – planned in advance.
- Do you know the important dates this semester?
Holidays, withdraw timeline (including refund information), exam schedule, and priority registration are all included in the Academic Calendar. Students should also check canvas frequently for course-specific dates.
Important Dates 2026-2027
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| First day of Fall 2026 classes | August 24 |
| UNL Family Weekend (a great time to visit your student) | September 25–27 |
| Fall Semester Break (Student Holiday - UNL offices open) | October 19 - 20 |
| Last day of classes | December 12 |
| Holiday Closedown (UNL offices closed) | December 24 - January 3 |
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Spring Semester begins | January 11 |
| Spring Vacation (UNL offices are open Monday through Friday) | March 14 - March 21 |
| Last day of classes | May 1 |
See the UNL Academic Calendar for more dates.
How Does FERPA Apply to Parents and Guardians?
We know parents and caregivers can be important partners in a student’s success, and Academic Navigators are happy to help you support your student. We can listen to your concerns, help identify resources, and work directly with your student when appropriate. However, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of a student’s educational records. Because of these protections, there may be times when we can receive information from you but are not able to share information about your student or provide an update about our work with them without the student’s consent.
You can learn more about FERPA, student privacy, and what information may be shared with parents and caregivers on UNL’s FERPA for Parents page.