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What they may be experiencing
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How you can help
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September
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- Campus is vibrant and energized with activities
- Some culture shock and experiencing many "firsts"
- Exposure to diverse backgrounds and cultures - questioning values and beliefs, discovering interests
- Discovering newfound freedom, making new friends and testing limits
- Information overload - plenty to process in a short period of time
- Financial pressure as tuition, books, university events, and social events add up
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- Offer support, but don't "crowd" them with too many calls or texts - agree on a good time to call
- Maintain open lines of communication and offer non-judgmental listening
- Encourage them to explore the campus and community
- Direct them to dal.ca/moneymatters for budgeting tips
- Learn about funding sources available to your student and encourage them to apply
- Encourage them to look for a part-time job using mycareer.dal.ca
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October
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- Beginning to establish a new schedule
- Developing new time management habits
- The "fun" of starting a new adventure begins to wear off
- Possible anxiety over first set of mid-term exams
- Thanksgiving break - excitement and nervousness about returning home
- Relationship issues, particularly with pre-university relationships
- Potential roommate conflicts
- Self-questioning - do I really belong here?
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- This is a great time to send a care package - they'll appreciate the "pick-me-up" in the middle of mid-terms
- Be understanding if they encounter academic difficulties
- Encourage them to visit their professor and/or teaching assistant during their office hours
- Don't try to solve their problems for them. Brainstorm options together, break large problems down into manageable issues, and refer students to resources on campus for more assistance - empower your student to take control
- Encourage them to get involved in campus life
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November
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- Starting to receive midterm marks & second round of mid-term exams
- Realization that previous study skills/habits may no longer be as effective
- Possible stress of multiple term paper and project due dates
- Potential for bad habits to develop (procrastination and working all night)
- Starting to plan for upcoming exams
- Financial stress as money could be running low
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- Understand that they're busy and may not always have time to call, text, or email
- Remind them that there are academic resources to help them with exam stress and procrastination
- Encourage them to seek out health & wellness resources to relieve stress
- Help arrange plans for the holidays
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December
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- Experiencing final exams for the first time
- Shorter days - less outdoor exercise and sunlight
- Possible anxiety about returning home for the holiday break
- Possible loneliness for students unable to go home for the holidays
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- When they're at home over the holidays, give them plenty of breathing room. Respect that they're been very independent over the last few months
- If they have friends who will be alone for the holidays, consider inviting them to spend some time with your family
- Encourage them to reflect on their first academic term - did they meet their goals?
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January
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- Start of another new semester, with many of the same feelings as September
- Renewed homesickness after being at home for the holiday break
- Potential difficulty getting back into the "routine" after being home
- Receiving first-term grades
- Changing courses, majors, or even programs
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- Encourage them to check in with their academic advisor
- Be aware that asking them about grades may cause a great deal of stress - if stress continues suggest seeking out health & wellness resources
- Alleviate homesickness - encourage your student to call home and connect with family and friends
- Encourage your student to get involved in campus life
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February
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- Encourage them to meet with an academic advisor to discuss their options and plan for next year
- Encourage them to make the most of their study break by focusing on studying or increasing their involvement in the community
- Encourage them to get some exercise and have a balanced diet
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March
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- Academic pressure is high
- Mid-terms and preparations for final exams
- Experience with "winter blues"
- Making summer plans (courses, work, other)
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- Understand that they're very busy at this time of year - try not to make too many demands on their time
- Remind them that their co-curricular record can help with putting their best foot forward to their job search
- Encourage them to look for a summer job using mycareer.dal.ca
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April
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- Final exams!
- Concern around fitting in with family after a long period of independence
- Thinking about their academic future
- Possible financial stress and/or anxiety over summer jobs
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- Congratulate them on completing their first year at Dalhousie University!
- Remind them that they have access to university resources over the summer
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