First-Year Students
The first year for a college student is a period of substantial transition, which includes developing new study habits, learning time management skills, adjusting to an independent lifestyle, meeting new people, joining clubs & organizations, and continuing along the path to adulthood.
In the classroom, your student is learning how to become critical thinkers, playing an active role in their own learning, and adapting to new academic challenges. All of these changes, many of which occur at the same time, can be daunting but will lead your student to a tremendous amount of growth.
Support from family members can play a vital role during this critical year. Below is information on what family members can expect during the transitional first year of college.
FALL
Fall leaves outside of Reynolds Hall.
AUGUST
What to Expect:
- Your Student is moving to Shepherd.
- They are forming a multitude of new relationships.
- They are starting over and may not know what to expect.
How to Help:
- Encourage independence, branching out, and new experiences. Events will be held throughout campus for multitudes of interests- check out RamPulse and Shepherd Program Board for what will be offered!
- Create realistic expectations and discuss with open ears and no judgment.
- Read and inform yourself on Shepherd’s resources for you and your student.
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself! This is a period of adjustment for all involved. Your mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, pride and loss, are normal. There will be a void in the family and some roles may adjust, especially if younger siblings are still at home. It’s a good time to refocus on your own hobbies and interests. Develop new forms of connection to those still in your immediate home unit. And remember, your student still needs you and loves you, even if they don’t say it.”
SEPTEMBER
What to Expect:
- Your student is acclimating to the classes, culture, and climate of our campus.
- Your student may be questioning their identity, expanding their horizons, and experimenting.
- They are beginning to realize that though there are many opportunities here on campus, they can’t do everything and will need to work on time management skills.
- They may be experiencing relationship problems with roommates, friends, or even professors. Because of this, they may not be reaching out to create new relationships.
How to Help:
- Listen and embrace any questions and concerns your student may come to you about. Actively listen to their problems and concerns.
- Encourage involvement both academically and socially. Encourage them to go to our campus’s Involvement Fair to find clubs and organizations of which they can be part.
- Help your student put minor disappointments into perspective. It is inevitable to hit a setback so help them persevere through it.
- If you think your student could benefit from extra guidance, be it time management, stress management, etc., point them in the direction of the Student Success Center.
“Be sure to join your student for our Family Weekend! It is a great opportunity to meet other Ram families while attending fun events! Family Weekend is about midway through the semester, so it is the perfect reason to come back to campus and check in with your student. They may not admit it, but they will miss you by then. So be sure to visit our campus, get a tour from your student to their favorite spots, take in a football game, eat at our local restaurants, and reconnect with your student!”
OCTOBER
What to Expect:
- Students may be stressed with tests, midterms, and receiving grades from previously turned-in assignments.
- Midterm grades* are submitted and can be seen around mid-October. Students may be disappointed if their grades are lower than typically received in high school.
- Students may be learning to manage their own money for the first time. College presents many pressures to spend money, so they may run out faster than they’d expect.
- Registration for spring classes begins and students need to meet with an academic or faculty advisor before registering for classes through their Remote Access Information Line (RAIL) account.
*Midterm grades are good indicators of your student’s performance and are normally reported by professors the seventh or eighth week of classes, typically mid-October for the Fall semester and late February for the Spring semester. October is also when your student will first experience midterm examinations. Utilize this time to gauge where your student is on the grade scale in each class by asking specific questions about assignments and performance. Finals week and the preparation for it will be especially daunting for new freshmen; this occurs at the beginning of December for the fall semester and at the end of April for the spring semester.
How to Help:
- Encourage your student to utilize their resources for success- have them schedule an appointment with their advisor, meet with an academic advisor, or meet with a success coach to keep on track for graduation and meeting their goals.
- Help your student understand academic achievement in a college environment. It is not uncommon for students to have a dip in grades during the transition from high school to college.
- Be sympathetic, but try not to “fix” problems for your student.
- Encourage your students to start budgeting to maintain a grip on their money. Help to establish a budget and teach them how to stick to it. Educate your student on financial responsibility before it becomes a problem.
“Roommate conflicts do happen. They can happen regardless of whether students are complete strangers or have known each other for years. Most students find that talking over the problems with their roommate resolves the conflict; however, sometimes help is needed. The best way for you to help the situation is to refer your student to the Resident Assistant (RA). RAs are upper-level students who are trained to resolve roommate disputes.”
NOVEMBER
What to Expect:
- Stress levels will be rising due to impending deadlines for papers and projects. Students will begin to realize the semester is almost over.
- Students may still be having issues with time management and balancing social activities with academics.
- Concerns about coming home for Thanksgiving may start to arise, especially if the student has changed significantly since the last time they saw you.
How to Help:
- Be supportive and encouraging. Refer your student to important resources, such as the Health Center if they’re sick or Counseling Services if they need additional emotional support.
- Listen and support your student when they contact you, but don’t be concerned if they don’t reach out as often as you would like. Your student may be too wrapped up in school to contact home at times.
- Support your students’ academic progress without focusing on grades. All forms of progress are good progress, be it in identity, beliefs, socially, or academically. Engage with you student in a discussion about what their learning, why it interests them, and what your student feels passionate about.
- Prepare yourself for changes when they return home for Thanksgiving. The first year of college is a period of tremendous change and growth, and students demonstrate this change in different ways.
“When your student returns for the break, be prepared for more conversations on growth. Your student will appreciate your support, rather than criticism, through this changing time. Recognize that while your student may be going through many changes, in the long run, your student will probably maintain many of the core values that you instilled.”
DECEMBER
What to Expect:
- After Thanksgiving, there is very little time until finals; term papers and projects are due, and they may be the longest papers or projects that students have ever done. Students will continue to be stressed.
- Students may get very little sleep, and neglect proper nutrition or exercise.
- Many students may be concerned about the pressures of upcoming holidays or returning home to live with family after a semester of independence.
- Some students will have financial concerns, as the money they budgeted for the semester runs out earlier than planned.
- They’ll probably sleep a lot over the winter break. They’ll be trying to catch up on four months’ worth of lost sleep!
- They will receive their grades from the fall semester and will either feel disappointed or delighted. Parent or guardian reactions to the grades weigh heavily on their minds and influence their stress level as they anticipate a new term. Whether the grades were good or bad, they will have a better understanding of what college work requires.
How to Help:
- Be supportive during this stressful time, and send care packages and mail. Snacks and special foods from home are always welcome this time of year.
- Encourage healthy eating, sleeping, and exercise habits to help reduce the stress of college exam time. Remind your student of the wellness resources available on campus such as the Shepherd University Wellness Center.
- Encourage participation in study break activities offered in the Residence Halls and in the Student Center. These are great ways for students to relax and recharge.
- Discuss home expectations for the Winter Break as soon as your student returns home, or preferably before! Students and family members often have different expectations about time with family and time with friends, which can lead to conflict. Having a discussion about this beforehand can lead to a more peaceful and relaxing break.
- Be supportive of your student regardless of the fall semester grades. If grades were poor, refer your student to our Academic Support Center for help with any future academic struggles. Remind them of your academic and class attendance expectations.
“Expect your student to be very stressed in December. While you won’t be able to prevent academic stress, you can reduce the pressure for your student to participate in family obligations or traditions, which put added demands on a student’s busy schedule. Your student may still be figuring out their schedule for the spring, possible housing changes, contacting professors, and reaching out to clubs and organizations among other things. Make sure you’re student is proactive for a successful spring!”
SPRING
Springtime outside of Knutti Hall
JANUARY
What to Expect:
- Students will return to campus at the beginning of the month. Many will feel homesick as they return to campus; others will feel relieved to be back to their independent lifestyle.
- There will be uncertainties in the new semester, as students begin new classes and meet new professors.
How to Help:
- Remind your student to keep up with their coursework. Many students find that falling behind early in the term is a major cause of stress and failures later on in the term. Help them with time management tips so that academic and social activities are balanced; as well as time for themselves.
“At Shepherd University, learning takes place outside of the classroom, too. Encourage your student to attend educational and cultural events around campus, including guest speakers, musical and theater performances, museums, etc. We also have opportunities throughout the semester for Shepherd students to connect with the surrounding community through student community service and service-learning activities.”
FEBRUARY
What to Expect:
- Students living on-campus will be notified about requesting on-campus housing for next year and may face the pressures of choosing a roommate and residence hall for the upcoming year.
- Many students neglect their health and exercise plans.
- Student organizations demand a lot of time from students. As a result, students who have trouble with their time management skills may feel over-committed and overwhelmed.
- Some students have relationship anxiety, especially around Valentine’s Day.
- Students make plans for spring break. This may lead to financial concerns for some. This may also lead to disagreements with family over different expectations for how and where this vacation will be spent.
- Financial Aid paperwork for next year is due. Students should apply for federal student aid each year by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (Completing a FAFSA by March 1st is highly recommended.)
How to Help:
- Support them as they try to balance academics and extracurricular activities.
- Encourage your student to seek assistance from Shepherd University resources, including the faculty. Advise your student to go to office hours and to get to know the faculty.
- Send care packages. Valentine’s Day is an excellent time for you to let them know that you’re thinking about them.
- Listen and support their relationship or roommate concerns. Refer your student to their Resident Assistant if roommate conflicts cannot be resolved and to Counseling Services if relationship concerns are severe and interfere with their academics.
- Discuss their plans and expectations for spring break. Talk to them about who’s paying for the vacation, whether or not it will be spent with family or friends, and about making responsible choices regarding their behavior.
- Be sure to work with your student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (Completing a FAFSA by March 1st is highly recommended.)
“Care packages are a favorite way to show students how much you love them. Possible contents can include food (homemade cookies or family specialties), money, socks/slippers, pictures from home (don’t forget to include the family pet!), gift certificates for local restaurants or stores, microwave popcorn, candy/chocolate/gum, letters from the family, vitamins, cold/flu medications, coupons, winter clothing, and toiletries.”
MARCH
What to Expect:
- Students will be stressed as they take more midterms and have more papers/projects due.
- Student Housing Contracts are due before the end of the month (sometimes even sooner.) Students planning to live on-campus should be finalizing their housing plans for the following year. This may be a relief for some or a stressor for others.
- Students feel pressure to declare a major.
- Students begin to think about summer plans including jobs or internships. Students may also be concerned about how they will fit into the family and the family’s expectations if they return home for the entire summer.
How to Help:
- Keep the lines of communication open. As they begin to prepare for their summer plans and for the upcoming fall semester, your student may seek your guidance and advice, or they may want to make their decisions. Recognize that either way, these decisions are part of growing up, and trust that in the end, your student will make decisions that are best for them. You can encourage your student to see an academic advisor before registering for courses.
- Refer your student to Career Services for information about summer jobs and internships.
- Help your student in finding the best solution for on-campus housing and meal plans to help ease their stress when selection day comes. Make sure they’re well equipped to navigate the Good Living Portal.
“If you live close enough, March is a good time for a short visit to campus. Be sure to talk to your student ahead of time to make sure it’s a good time for them. You wouldn’t want to disrupt their flow of studying and working on assignments! Students do appreciate being taken out to dinner and going shopping during these visits! Check online for local restaurants and shopping locations for your visit! Just be sure not to do it during midterms week though!”
APRIL
What to Expect:
- Registration for the fall semester begins and students must meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes.
- Spring Fever hits students as the weather warms up and they will want to go bike riding, walking, or hiking along the C&O Canal. Concentrating on academics becomes harder than ever.
- Students’ stress levels are high as the semester is winding down and papers and projects are due and final exams are looming.
- Students are thinking about moving out of their residence halls and leaving their college friends for the summer.
How to Help:
- Be supportive through this stressful time and consider sending care packages to boost their spirits.
- Remind your student to take good personal care of themselves by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and enough sleep.
- Start talking with your student about end-of-semester plans. Advise them to check the Residence Life website for updated information about the move-out process.
“Join us for our annual Relay For Life Event at the Wellness Center! There are many FUNdraising opportunities throughout the whole night! This is a great time to see what’s going on with Shepherd and your student while supporting a great cause!”
MAY
What to Expect:
- Some students will return home for the summer and others may choose to stay on campus to work and/or take summer courses. (Check the virtual Class Schedule to see what summer classes are offered once they’re posted!)
- Students may have lined up summer employment at home and will begin their summer jobs; others may still need/want to find work.
- Some students may have signed up to take summer classes at a college close to home. In this case, they may need to transfer these credits to Shepherd and should seek departmental approval at Shepherd University BEFORE taking classes at another college/university to ensure the credits will be accepted here.
- Students who return home may need to adjust to living with parents, guardians, and siblings. Students may be anxious about a loss of independence.
How to Help:
- Discuss expectations for their roles and responsibilities during the summer if they are living at home. Students may feel that a summer job and social commitments with their high school friends take priority over household chores. This is the time to renegotiate responsibilities with them, adult to adult.
- Use this summer to communicate openly with them; be sure to talk about your expectations for their behavior. Is your student expected to be home at a certain time? Are they expected for family meals? Be willing to discuss and compromise before problems occur.
- Respect and appreciate the self-reliant and independent person who has returned home. Your student may be more mature and different from the first-year college student you dropped off in the fall.
“Congratulations! You’ve made it through the first year. You should relax and enjoy this moment. Your student will continue to grow and change over the course of the next few years, and your relationship with your student will also continue to change. However, the first year is a big transition for you both, and you should feel proud if you have both managed to successfully navigate hurdles of the first year.”