The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers
Certain times in the academic year tend to be universally challenging to students.
Parents
who understand the ups and downs of the first college year are better able to help
their
students negotiate the challenges of the transition to college. Below are some typical
adjustment issues faced throughout the first year:
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
• Excitement
• Testing new-found freedom
• Frequent calls and visits home
• Homesickness and loneliness
• Anxiety about roommates, professors, classes
• Final exams
OCTOBER
• Roommate problems begin to arise
• Students question: "Do I fit in here?"
• First test grades returned
• Midterm exams
• Love relationships from home remain strong
• Consequences of decision-making experienced
NOVEMBER
• Midterm grades returned
• Roommate challenges become more clear
• Many exams and papers due before Thanksgiving
• Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for Thanksgiving
• First series of campus-wide illness (cold, flu, strep, etc.)
DECEMBER
• Anxiety over preparations for finals
• Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for the holidays
• Sadness about leaving new friendship and/or love relationships
• Roommate challenges continue
JANUARY
• "Fresh Start" mentally sets in with new term
• Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall term grades
• Homesickness
• Loneliness for love relationship back home
• Relief being away from home and back at school
FEBRUARY
• Feelings of claustrophobia and depression set in with winter
• Potential increase in alcohol and other substance abuse
• Challenges with love relationship back home
• Valentine's Day brings out loneliness, isolation
MARCH
• Anxiety regarding finding roommate(s) for next year
• Excitement and/or disappointment regarding Spring Break plans
• Midterm exam stress
• Concern over summer employment
• Concern over winter weight gain
APRIL
• Excitement with arrival of Spring
• Concern over declaring major
• End of semester pressure
MAY
• Final exam anxiety
• Apprehension about returning home for summer
• Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school
• Realization of how college influences life decisions
In addition to these more predictable stressors, student may experience the following
concerns
throughout the academic year:
• Missing family birthday and holiday celebrations
• Missing participation in family traditions
• Wanting involvement with family maintained, but expecting their desire for complete
freedom to be respected
Adapted from: Hatch, Cathie & Mullendore, Richard H.
Helping your first-year college student succeed: A guide from parents. National Orientation
Directors Association, 2000.
