The First Semester: The Grind is Real
The honeymoon is over. Reality has set in.
The month of October is unique in the first semester of a college student because this is when students hit a wall. The excitement of going to college has worn off, and this month is filled with multi-page research papers, group projects, and mid-term exams covering the content over the first half of a semester. This period can be described in two words: anxiety and stress. In other words, this is when reality sets in on what is expected of a college student. These are some helpful tips during this time to help ease the tension.
-Midterms: This is a great test (literally) that will show if a student can demonstrate if they understand what is being taught in each course. Students’ midterms carry a heavy grade in these activities, which can vary from papers and presentations to exams and labs. A successful midterm period can set students on a path to good grades while showing what needs to be done before the end of the semester for other students. Many adjustments can be made to improve their grades, such as joining classmates in a study group, going to a professor’s office hours for math help, or setting up appointments in the writing center to proofread their papers before turning them in. These are just a few examples.
-Grades: Using a sports analogy, midterms are like halftime of a football game. A student should look at each class with a clear head and see if this class is going well and what modifications must be made to keep positive momentum. On the flip side, If classes aren’t going well, it might be time to consider withdrawing from more challenging courses if they don’t think they will pass the class. Dropping classes has benefits, such as it frees up time that can be focused on improving grades in other courses. However, a student must pass several attempted credit hours in many financial aid packages, which could jeopardize future funding. But if they know they won’t do well, it’s something to consider.
-Going home: During this time, students experience homesickness and often want to go home. Typically, college staff will tell students they should not go home during the semester, besides holidays, to engrain themselves in the campus community and be able to meet and interact with fellow students. Still, going home or having family visit campus during this time of high stress is reasonable. In October, colleges offer a parents/family weekend, encouraging family and friends to visit campus and have activities and events that everyone can attend, which can benefit parents and students to see each other for the first time in months. This time it is essential to take a deep breath and think through with a clear head.
This time is when one needs to look from a 10,000-foot view. Students are experiencing a world of change in the last month and a half, and adjusting to this new life can be challenging. It is essential to keep things in perspective at this point, and encouragement can be the best way to talk to students while making the necessary changes to improve their grades or keep up the positive grades they have created for themselves so far.
