Issue No. 50 — Winter 2025
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A Message From David Humphrey

Hello Rice Parents and Families,

Happy December! It was a pleasure seeing nearly 2,400 family members and guests at our Families Weekend this past October. I particularly enjoyed seeing the great turnout at the faculty lectures and meeting many of you at our Night Owls: Parent Social. I hope you came away from the weekend with new friends and a meaningful glimpse into your Owl’s life on campus. If you were unable to attend, I hope you will consider joining us for Families Weekend in 2026!

I recently had the chance to host a webinar exclusively for Rice parents with our Rice Counseling Center and Student Wellbeing Office. In addition to sharing the work of their offices, they shed light on some of the feelings and experiences your Owls may be bringing home over winter break. I encourage you to watch the recording of the full conversation, but I also wanted to share a few tips they offered for helping your Owl recharge over the next few weeks.

First, recognize that your student may simply need to reset. After weeks of managing classes, responsibilities and social commitments, it is highly likely your Owl is worn out. It’s natural for them to want to take things off their plate. At the same time, keep an eye out for signs of burnout: changes in sleep or eating habits, illness, quietness or withdrawal, or a disconnect from activities that once brought them joy. Gentle encouragement to maintain healthy routines, like consistent sleep, balanced meals and self-care, can make a big difference.

It is also important to note that breaks require balance. Many Rice students are motivated to use this time for jobs, research and projects, and it's great to stay productive, though we encourage them to strike a balance and find time to reconnect with friends and refill their sleep bank if they can. A healthy mix of productivity and rest will allow them to return to campus refreshed and ready for the next semester.

Finally, it’s important to acknowledge the gap between their college independence and their return to life at home. Students who have been managing their own schedules may find it challenging to adjust to family expectations around chores, curfews or helping siblings. Open conversations and curiosity about how they’d like to balance independence with family responsibilities can ease this transition and strengthen your connection.

Above all else, being there to listen and support your Owl can make a huge difference, whether they show it or not. We in the Rice community are grateful for you all and the role you play in your student’s life, and we hope you find meaningful time for connection with your Owl as the year closes.

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful winter season,

David Humphrey
Assistant Director, Parent and Families Programming