Good Stuff

TYPICAL ISSUES * EVENTS * CONCERNS FOR STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

There are certain issues every student deals with duing the year. Without even looking at our list you might know some of these either by personal experience or seeing others go through it. Programming around these issues really helpS out students. Your efforts will be appreciated if not instantly, then when the student really uses the information.

• Quarter or Semester
• Presense or absense of Athletics, Student Government, other student campus groups
• Campus traditions and yearly events that directly impact students (for example - Mardi Gras)

"Without knowledge of what your student's needs, you might as well forget your parachute!"

Yearly Calendar

August	September	October
November	December	January
February	March	April
May	June

August

• Homesickness
• Loss of old support structures
• Fear of creating a new support system, low risk taking, fear of rejection
• Loss of identity; new negotiation for recognition, status, popularity, leadership, etc.
• Need for positive reinforcement
• Campus familiarization
• Values exploration
• Indecision about major
• Financial Adjustments
• Internation or students of color may hvae difficulty adjusting; experiencing confusion, cultural differences, vulnerability, lonliness, lack of peer support
• Need to get in touch with old friends
• New major career choices after summer and last grades (older students)
• Class scheduling
• More difficult courses and course load
• Employment
• Are you making an extra effort to know your staff and your residents?
• Have you introduced yourself to the programmer on campus?
• Some residents might be looking for something to fo: involve other people in your programming. Their energy is contagious.

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September

• Homesickness continues
• Roommate conflicts arrise
• Test anxiety develops
• Dissatisfaction with school starts - newness wears off
• Too many things to get down as students try realize it takes a lot
• First year students get alot of attention at the beginning of the year, make sure your notice the sophmores on your floors.
• Dating anxieties result from not being asked out or being able to find a date
• Rejections from leadership elections or selections for student organizations
• Expectations remain unfullfilled resulting in low motivation
• Many membership drives for groups and organizations - causing pressure and rejection
• Be as inclusive as possible in your programming. Be sensitive to diverse needs and lifestyles.
• Your returner residents might not know everyone or everything but are afraid to ask for help. Offer your assistance and friendship. Their ideas and experience in the halls can be very valuable.
• Values clarification: first year students are establishing priorities and the upperclass students may be evaluating priorities

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October

• Acedemic stress builds with the great demand for studying and preparation. Tests may be followed with feelings or failure and loss of self esteem.
• Job panic for those who might be coming up on graduation: resume preparation, on and off campus interviews
• Values exploration contiunes: especially in the area of sexuality.
• Alcohol problems becomming evidenty
• Roommate conflicts and floor tension
• High Activity - Homecoming, Parent's Weekend, Halloween. Anxiety and depression over no dates for social affairs, problems with parents, lack of opportunity to participate in activities
• Graduate school syndrom emerges for seniors, signing up for grad. exams, applications, wondering ig they'll be accepted uncertainties about if, when, and how to apply
• Campus life might not be for everyone: look into other options for your residents outside the main college community.
• Isolating residents - how can you aid in community development?

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November

• Academic pressures increas: prefinals stress, projects are due
• Burn-out and cabins fever; long period of time before a break to go home
• Anxiety over Thanksgiving break: longing for break or no desire to go home
• Apathy due to acedemic pressures: lack of inititation to find new friends or activities because social group seesm already set
• Health problems emerge due to pressures, stress, bad eating habits, bad weather, lack of sleep
• Job stress over finding a Winter Break Job
• Residents unsure about how to vote in a new town/state
• People are yearning for recognition: give it to as many as you can
• Those graduating might need assistance finalizing plans

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December

• Final exam pressures including anxiety, fear, and guilt increase as exams approach and papers become due
• Many students are worried about loosing their scholorship
• Increase in alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with pressures or staying up to study
• Extracurricular time strains: seasonal parties, concerts , social service projects, and religous activities drain student's energy
• Pre-holiday blues emerge from students who have not home to visit and for those who prefer not to
• Student might need some assistance finding winter break housing if your hall doesn't offer it
• Financial worries with the thought of gifts and travels
• Health problems increase as a result of stress, bad eating habits, bad weather, lack of sleep...
• Students might be thinking of becomming a staff member; make sure you are aware of the process

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January

• Anxiety about being back in school because some students didn't do well (acedmically or socially) first semester/quarter
• High excitement to be back at school; high expectations for the new year or high anxiety and feelings of not wanting to be back
• Post-break depression due to being away from home security and postive strokes
• Some students experience unwanted weight gain over break with holiday food and home cooking
• New students feel out of place and like they are intruding on established friendships and community
• Money problems begin because many were not able to find jobs or took trips over break
• Some students begin the student staff member job applicaton process
• Some students may be going through Greek Rush - creating elation or anxiety
• Depression can be caused by winter blues, senioritis, slumps, once again not succeeding in elections, rush, group involvements
• Some students might not be used to your winter weather (lack of snow or abundancy of it) creating a feeling of homesickness

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February

• Cabin fever and burn-out set in forcing students to stay inside for a long period of time. More building damage tends to occur in February than nearly any other time of the year.
• Acedemic pressures increase as exams and projects approach
• Excitement over spring break planning
• Career/major choice anxieties as freshman are encouraged to decide and seniors prepare for interviews
• Relationship anxieties increase as couples becom engaged, get more serious, experience problems, or break up.
• Health problems arise: drinking, dieting and tanning for spring break, bad sleep habits
• Some students may be starting their summer job/internship search
• Dealing with anger and assertiveness become issues as personal relationships get stonger

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March

• Decisions on where to live next year: roommate decision, money issues, apt vs house vs residence halls, etc.
• High expectations for spring break
• Anxiety may arise for those students worried about going home to family porblems over break
• Summer job hunting over break will be heavy
• Seniors have job interviews/grad school - anxiety over serach and rejection
• Anxiety over physical fittness and appearance for break
• With increasing pressure and spring fever, increased use of alcohol and drugs is prevelant
• Quarter schools will experience finals, semesters - mid terms and projects due after break - high anxiety for each
• The warn weather increased outside activity and it a deterrant to studying

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April

• Acedemic pressures high with the end of the semester/last quarter approaching; papers and exams create anxiety
• Social like pressures increas as students strive to have fun before the school year is over - formal dances, parties, etc.
• Period of selction and training for many jobs (including student staff)
• Burn-out and lack of motivation, apapthy - sick of school, spring fever
• Nicer weather increases possobility of sexual assault for women
• Relationships come with spring: fear of rejection, envy of others
• Financial strain from Spring Break effects social life
• Summer job pressure continues
• Senior job recruiting panaic, anxiety about leaving college friends and entering the real world
• Decision to go to summer school, go home, travel, work, etc.

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May

•  Anixiety over approaching finals, project deadlines
• Increased social pressures to attend spring parties, picnics - to really end the year with a bang
• Depression over the school year ending - leaving friends, freedom, activities
• Increased use of drugs and alchohol with social events and cramming for finals
• Anxiety for couples who forsee parting over the summer - fear of the realtionship ending
• Spring fever runs high in May - students looking to be outside and active
• Quarter schools still have one month left - frusrtation of leaving school later than their semester friends, being in school in the summer, not being able to find a good job...

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June

•  QUARTER SCHOOLS STILL IN SESSION
• Feeling of lack of closure as acedemic pressures limit the end of year evernts and goodbyes
• Anxiety over finals and projects due
• Rush to get down at out of school and into summer activities jobs
• Seniors have the pressure of planning graduation activities for friends, family in addition to moving.
• Most students are trying to study while packing while saying goodbye to friends increasing the stress level

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