Many new students experience a similar pattern of emotion and experiences. Certain times in the academic year tend to be universally challenging for students. Family members who understand the ebbs and flows of the first college year are better prepared to help their students negotiate the challenges of transitioning to college. Listed below by month are some typical adjustment issues your student may face during their first year at Michigan Tech (adapted from Helping Your First Year College Student Succeed: A Guide for Parents).
August/September
- Feelings of excitement or anxiousness
- Testing newfound freedom and independence
- Frequent calls and visits home
- Homesickness and loneliness
- Anxiety about roommates, professors, classes, new surroundings, and policies and procedures
- Challenges with managing own time, schedule, and habits
- Stress related to first exams
- Relationships from home remain strong (with friends, significant others, and family).
- Experience consequences of decisions made
October
- Free time disappears and student becomes very busy with academics and activities outside the classroom
- New friendships and connections are solidified
- Roommate problems may arise
- Student may question, “Do I fit in here?”
- First grades are returned
- Midterm exams take place
- Midterm grades are returned
November
- Roommate challenges become more apparent
- Many exams and papers/projects due before Thanksgiving Break
- Increased academic pressure due to procrastination
- Potential to cope with stress through nonproductive behaviors (lack of sleep, poor eating habits, alcohol consumption, or lack of exercise)
- Common onset period for illness (cold, flu, strep, etc.)
- Financial stress of running out of funds
December
- Anxiety over preparations for final exams
- Excitement and/or anxiety over returning home for the holidays
- Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships
- Roommate challenges continue
January
- “Fresh start” mentality 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
- Student begins to question whether their major is a good fit
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 over finding roommate(s) or housing for next year
- Excitement and/or disappointment over spring break plans
- Midterm exam stress
- Concern over summer employment/future plans
- Concern over winter weight gain or lack of exercise
April /May
- Excitement with arrival of spring
- Concern over major uncertainty
- End-of-semester pressure
- Final-exam anxiety
- Apprehension over returning home for summer
- Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school
- Realization of how college influences life decisions