Spring Semester May Bring Anxiety

As a regular feature in Parent Update, we like to provide you with a list of common adjustment issues that first-year students typically describe at this time of year. (Source: Helping your First-Year College Student Succeed, Richard Mullendore and Cathie Hatch, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.)

 

March

• Anxiety about midterm exams
• Anxiety about finding a roommate for next year
• Excitement and/or disappointment regarding Spring Break plans
• Concern over winter weight gain

April

• Spring fever
• Burned-out feeling
• Signing up for housing for fall semester
• Concern over declaring a major

May/June

• Final exam anxiety
• Stress over moving when semester ends
• Ambivalence about returning home for summer
• Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or new romantic relationships at school
• Concern about finding summer employment
• Beginning to realize how college will influence future life decisions 

Although these issues may be common, they aren't necessarily easy to handle. Students may find that these issues can interfere with studying and academic goals.

The Counseling Center staff is available to meet with students on either campus to discuss concerns and identify helpful coping strategies. (Counseling Center St. Paul campus, 690-6805; Counseling and Student Development Center Minneapolis campus, 690-7830)