1. The First Semester In Review: It Is Reality 2010

2. Beyond the Immediate Future What do you think of when we say … What do you think of when we say … It Is Reality?

3. Take a moment to consider… IT IS REALITY Care Packages Home Sickness New Faces Late Nights Mid Terms Time Management FINAL EXAMS

4. New Freshman Welcome and Convocation Saturday, August 21

5. Week 1: August 22-28 Freshmen:  Adjusting to the “big” University  All new faces  Getting Lost  Class Schedules  Textbooks  On-campus Jobs  Roommates Parents:  Being proud  Fear of unknown  Anxiety and sadness  Not an end, a new beginning Welcome Week

6. Week 2: Aug 29 – Sept 4 Freshmen: Student organizations Following the crowd Adjusting to lectures Places to hangout Study vs. Fun Waiting for mail Laundry Dining Services Homesickness Parents: New interests Quiet house Family car in garage Struggles with how often to contact student What to send in a care package

7. Week 3: September 5-11 Freshmen:  First test preparation  Remembering why I am here  A feeling of confidence  Being sick for first time/Health Service Parents:  Not as confident as student  Concerns about student health Academic Advising – 650-3701 Labor Day Holiday - Sep 6 Schedule your advising appointment for Spring 2011 semester

8. Week 4: September 12-18 Freshmen:  1 ST University exam  Feeling overwhelmed  Boyfriend/Girlfriend  Roommate Conflicts  Getting used to fire drills  First visit home. Do my parents still love me? Parents :  Nervousness to ask about first exam  Analyze first visit home and start to recognize student’s independence

9. Week 5 & 6: Sept 19 – Oct 2 Freshmen :  Academic Success or Disappointment  Unsympathetic professors  Settling into daily routines  Roommate conflict resolutions Parents:  Money requests  Always at the library?  Curious about student’s study habits  Would like to contact student’s professors  Adapting to student being gone Did they schedule their Academic Advising appointment for Spring 2011?

10. Week 7 & 8: October 3-16 Freshmen :  Papers and group projects are assigned  Mid-terms  True friendships being developed  Establishing own identity  Skepticism about Family Weekend Parents :  Discussion begins with other college parents to compare thoughts  Academic concerns  Planning a visit on Family Weekend Family Weekend – October 8-10, 2010

11. Week 9: October 17-23 Freshmen:  Mid-semester goals  Second reality check  Re-think major?  Explore tutoring services Parents :  Questioning whether student is making correct decisions  Is my student making moral or ethical decisions?  Phone calls / Chats

12. Week 10-13: Oct 24 - Nov 20 Freshmen :  Need time to myself  No more summer savings  Busy with academics  Starting to think about where to live next year  Counting the days Parents:  Making Thanksgiving plans  I wonder if my child needs me for anything besides money

13. Thanksgiving Break November 20-28 Week 14

14. Week 15: Nov 28 – Dec 4 Freshmen:  Excited to see old friends  Reality of high school is in the past  Crunch time begins  Pressure from parents regarding grades Parents:  Great anticipation  Hope social life isn’t out of control  Crunch time?  Anxiety about student’s grades OH NO! Two More Weeks Till Finals!

15. Week 16: Dec 5 – Dec 11 Freshmen:  Everything is due  All-nighters are pulled  Library is packed  Serious love relationship  Appearance and dress attire is no concern Parents:  Dealing with stressed out student  Library?  Expression of love and concern  Send a care package

16. Week 17: December 11 - 17 Freshmen: Stress / Excitement Holidays, no money for gifts Packing to go home Parents: Holiday Spirit Housekeeping Requesting days off Final Exam Week

17. Winter Break: Dec 18- Jan 9 Freshmen:  View grades on-line  Missing college friends  Relaxation  Adjusting to living at home Parents:  I don’t believe it! You want to change your major?!?  Student being home is not like it used to be  We just got used to living this way January 10/Spring 2011 Classes Begin

18. The Semester In Review: It Is Reality The Top 10 Reasons For…. Freshman Success

19. Freshmen Success 1.Go to Class – Every day 2.Study - Do the work 3.Talk to professors early 4.Organize your time 5.Get involved

20. 6.Support system of friends 7.Seek help early and often 8.Stay focused 9.Ask questions 10.Enjoy the ride Freshmen Success

21. And that is how to be... SUCCESSFUL! Freshmen Success

22. WE ARE HERE TO HELP Office of Admissions 1-800-447-SIUE or 618-650-3705

23. Go Cougars! Go Big “ e ” -Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift