Potter College Parents
Your Student's First Academic Year Cycle
August/September
- Sense of excitement, independence, confidence; student may experiment with hair, clothing, food choices or test limits and boundaries
- Homesickness/loneliness
- Anxiety about first tests and papers
- Doubts about choice of school, choice of classes
- Anxiety about inadequacy or not fitting in
October
- Student develops a routine; campus begins to feel more like home
- Doubts about social life; concern that "I don't fit in"
- 5th Week Assessment provides first sense of academic standing followed by mid-terms
November
- Mid-term grades have been returned
- Pressure builds surrounding coursework and other activities
- Colds, stress-related illnesses arise
- Campus friendships become a student's primary support
- Coursework, tests, and papers intensify before Thanksgiving
- Anxiety about signing up for spring semester classes
- Financial strain
December
- Anxiety about final papers and exams
- Insecurity about grades
- Excitement/anxiety about going home for Winter Break
- Concern about not seeing campus friends over break
January
- Disappointment/relief about first semester grades
- Pleasure at having an opportunity for a new start; enthusiasm about new courses and instructors
- Sense of security at having survived the first semester
February
- Students are generally comfortable with the University and friendships by now
- Seasonal depression/lethargy peaks as the cold, darkness of winter continues
- Anxiety begins over finding roommates and making living arrangements for next year
- 5th Week Assessment results end of Feb/beginning of March
March
- Anxiety over mid-term results
- Excitement about spring break plans
- Summer job/internship hunting begins
April
- Frenzy of social activities and celebrations
- Finalization of plans for roommates and living arrangements for next year
- Heightened concern about selecting a major
May
- Panic about finals and completing class projects
- Sadness at leaving friends for the summer
- Frustration, anxiety about sorting, packing, and cleaning in preparation for moving out
- Worry over facing conflicts at home with family, making the transition back
Helpful Links for Parents
Your Student's First Academic Year Cycle
Student Health & Wellness
Student Engagement and Involvement
Student Activities and Organizations
Frequently Used Student Services Offices
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