What Should I Expect and How Do I Help? Parents as Partners What Should I Expect and How Do I Help?

First - Year students are bombarded with new experiences First - Year students are bombarded with new experiences. Parents want to be helpful but are often unaware of the issues, concerns, resources, and policies on the campus. The following time line will serve to take you through your student's first year of college life and help you become better prepared.

June/July 2017 - Beginning the Transition Come to Orientation Students receive their course schedule. Students meet classmates Select room Students become aware of what we will expect of them as a Saint Xavier University Student. Students make friends and begin the process of becoming a student Issues – Excitement and anticipation, Fear of not succeeding, Missing significant other, Managing their time, First time away from home, Preparing to be an adult.   Home Life - Perhaps more argumentative, Movement to more Freedom, Concern about parents, siblings and friends, Push to choose a major.

August 2017- Getting Ready Gathering all the items needed for College Worried about how they will fit work and school into the same day. Trying to figure out how you will fit everything into your room. Resident Move In Day - Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Cougar TRAX - Thursday, August 17 & Friday, August 18 Parents Welcome to attend Induction Ceremony on Friday,August 18 check in 12:30 p.m. Shannon Center. Health forms and required vaccinations updated. Has own health insurance card -WAIVER Issues – Not sure what to expect, Figuring out my commute, Parking, Leaving home, Visiting relatives and friends, Fear of not fitting in, Having the right supplies.   Home Life- Hectic time, Volatile emotions, Feeling pulled in all directions, make time for important conversations, Ensuring that you have everything.

September 2017 – Settling In Getting involved in Service and Activities (Cougar MAP) Cougar LEAD Managing Academic Requirements & Co-Curricular expectations Academic Support Services New class schedule - faster pace of academic work Self Regulation - Attending Class (syllabus), Getting up for classes on their own, commuting, residence life rules, doing homework Homesick MAKING CHOICES   Issues - Fitting in, Fear of failure, Time management, Money management, Being a responsible adult, making choices about alcohol, drugs and sex. Home Life/Campus Life - Telephone calls, Commuters are too busy to be home, Tension between family responsibilities and school responsibilities, Lots of activities on campus, Not sure about classes = possible trouble, Co Curricular commitments, New relationships, Making choices about schoolwork and social life. Questioning status of old relationships, Athletic competition is tougher, courses require a lot of reading and homework.

October 2017 – Reality Begins First tests and papers are returned Personal schedule seems insurmountable Roommates begin to share differences with each other Circle of friends established Diversity on campus May have conflicts with the rules – parent partnership Review Academic Plans/Cougar MAP, Choose Courses for Spring October 1- Deadline for FAFSA Issues - Academic performance issues, trouble in paradise, money matters, food begins to get repetitive, See Academic Advisor, searching for place to fit–in, rule conflicts/judicial hearings. Home Life /Campus Life: roller coaster emotions, desire to come home on weekends, nothing to do, fear of failure, fear of not fitting in, unbalanced lifestyle, romance/ H.S. Relationships  

November 2017 - Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more! Explore academic and career options Academic reality sets in Thanksgiving Break Disenchantment Friends become estranged or very attached, work load begins to pick up for final exam push   Issues– Push to choose or re-examine major, Course selection for second semester, College isn’t as rosy as once thought, Identity issues. Home/Campus Issues – Work load increases, Papers due, Prepare for final exams, Worried about academic performance, Concern over major.

December 2017 – I can’t wait for the semster to end!!!! Holiday concerts/parties Final exams First semester assessment, Major Choice???? Grades come in Financial concerns about tuition/books/ spending Some friends change schools Excitement about coming back to Saint Xavier University   Issues – Grades will be coming home, Will their grades meet their (and Your) expectations for success, Curfew hours and household rules, Major Choice. Home/Campus Issues – What do I do all during break? Reacquainting with family, grade issues and concerns, I learned so much (--- Mark Twain), Re-evaluating choices.

January 2018 – Back To the Future Time to build on 1st semester Perhaps new major How to make use of University Resources Some friends change schools Winter Commute Issues – Fresh start, Identifying and using academic resources, reunited with friends, Roommate conflicts, Mental health issues, Physical health concerns, Questioning SXU, Self reflection and assessment.   Campus/ Home Issues – Concern about academic performance, Reunited with friends, Fear of failure/success. Depression, Eating disorders, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Snow.

February 2018 – There is a reason it’s the shortest month of the year! Cold/Dreary weather Tests/ papers Parking spaces “Are So Far Away” Mid Semester grades Organizations/ Leadership Service Trips   Issues – Identifying and using academic resources, reunited with friends, Roommate conflicts, Mental Health issues, Physical health concerns, Spring Break planning. Campus/ Home Issues – Concern about academic performance, Preparing to make choices for Fall Classes, Depression, Eating disorders, Snow.

March 2018 - March Madness Mid term exams and papers Course selection, Academic major choices College Basketball tournaments Spring Break Changing Weather Academic concerns    Issues – Can I really make it here? Choices coming to roost, relationships; Decide to commute or reside on campus, Roommate concerns, Leadership and major campus positions (X-Factor).   Campus/ Home Issues –Spring break, Decisions and self –exploration, Questioning what they will get out of college, Confusion over major. Family concerns and issues.

April 2018 – Spring Has Sprung Weather improves A million activities and big campus events Room selection Academic pressure increases, End of year papers Preparing for final Exams Concern over long summer break, Search for summer jobs/internships Academic re-evaluation Issues – Academic achievement, Concern about missing friends, First year of college over, summer jobs, Work and fun conflict  Campus/Home Issues – So much to do so little time, Friends become very important, Spring Formals, How do I find a summer job? Summer school option, Concern about friends leaving, Leadership opportunities present themselves.

May 2018 – I Made It! Exams Move home Miss friends Start summer job – Summer School? Redefine household contract   Issues – Reality arrives, Choices for next year, Missing friends, parent/child relationship, Desire to get back to school Home/ Campus Issues – Saying good-bye, Finishing exams.

Congratulations You Are Now The Proud Parents of a Sophomore Congratulations You Are Now The Proud Parents of a Sophomore!!! But that’s another story!

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