The W-Curve

Honeymoon Phase Eagerness to embrace a new experience Enthusiasm to make new friends Happy to leave home and gain independence Orientation and first year programs keep students busy Some anxiety and homesickness mixed with excitement

Culture Shock Expectations of what college “should” be are not being met Adjustment feels difficult now rather than exciting Navigating campus is confusing Living with a roommate becomes irritating High school academic strategies are not translating well to college schoolwork Emotions related to homesickness grow to be overwhelming

Initial Adjustment Campus begins to feel more like home Becoming acquainted with a new routine is comforting Establish connections with new friends Getting used to living with a roommate and using community bathrooms Gaining confidence in new approaches to schoolwork This phase happens quicker for extroverts

Mental Isolation This phase typically begins after visiting home for the first time for an extended period of time Home is not as familiar as it was while college still does not feel like home Changes happened at home while you were gone Homesick for an environment that seems to no longer exists Doubts regarding college choice, major, etc

Mental Isolation continued Friends from home seem to be enjoying college more than you are Beliefs and values are challenged You may realize your new “friend group” at college formed only because you were eager to make friends and establish connections Larger roommate issues surface Cliques/friend groups have formed and you feel as if you missed the ship when it comes to making friends

Acceptance and Integration Connections to campus strengthen Genuine friendships are form Connections with professors and other faculty members develop Realistic expectations of college are established Roommate issues are resolved or managed New values are formed/old values are solidified with your new perspectives as an independent adult Independence feels liberating rather than overwhelming

Journal of College and University Student Housing, Volume 23, No Journal of College and University Student Housing, Volume 23, No. 2, 1993. Culture Shock and The First‐Year Experience by William J. Zeller and Robert Mosier

Discussion Questions Is this model accurate? Is anyone willing to share which phase you think you are in? What helped you get through culture shock or mental isolation? What resources on campus can help you through these various phases?

Discussion Questions Is it OK to dislike your first semester of college? Are there benefits to gain from having a hard time adjusting to college? Do you feel pressure to report positive feelings about your time at college to your friends and family at home?