1. Adjusting to Medical School: A Balancing Act
Be prepared. Grow. Be intentional. Succeed.

2. Uncomfortable/Hostility Stage Humor Stage Balance Stage
Adjustment stages (Adapted from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
Honeymoon Stage
Uncomfortable/Hostility Stage
Humor Stage
Balance Stage

3. Honeymoon Stage Excited anticipation about being at SGU
Sense of freedom
Meeting new people/strong sense of welcome

4. Uncomfortable Stage Culture Shock: People/housing/food/classes
Uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty
Periods of great frustration, anger, anxiety, and sometimes depression
Many personal responsibilities

5. Uncomfortable Stage
Finding that the values, which you hold high are not respected or understood
Feeling as if you had lost the ability to socially interact successfully. Fear that you will never get used to your new situation
Homesickness, illness

6. Humor Stage: Initial Adjustment
Starting to relax and laugh at minor mistakes
You have made some friends, learned to manage and understand your studies, and you begin to pass your exams.
Regaining a sense of control and routine

7. Mental Isolation Feeling that getting to know others is hard.
Missing home again
Values are challenged
Feeling that no one
else feels the same.
Cliques may be forming

8. Balance Stage Making friends Connecting to the campus community
Understanding many aspects of life at SGU
Ability to navigate the demands of study and social life

9. Balance Stage: Adjustment and Integration
Integrating good experiences with challenges
Campus is becoming “home”
Personal values reconciled with
University values
Less dependence on former peers

10. Which of these apply to you?
Honeymoon Stage
Excited to be away from home?
Uncomfortable Stage
Feeling homesick?
Humor Stage
Find humor in experiences
Mental Isolation
Balance Stage
Able to balance student life with social life.

11. How do I know if I am having difficulty adjusting to SGU?
Do you suddenly feel:
angry over minor inconveniences?
Irritability?
Are you keeping away from friends, roommates, classmates, etc.?
Are you feeling extremely homesick?
Are you overeating or have loss of appetite?
Are you experiencing lack of engagement?
Are you in need for an excessive amount of
sleep or not sleeping at all?

12. How to know if you are having problems?
Are you experiencing:
Headaches
Upset stomach
Small pains really hurt
Feelings of depression
Unexplainable crying
Feeling sad or blue for many days
Marital or relationship stress
Loss of ability to work or study effectively
Exaggerated cleanliness
Feeling sick much of the time

13. Steps to feeling better!
DON’T FREAK OUT!!
Be Patient, transitions can be hard!
Know that these feelings are NORMAL and everyone around you may be feeling something similar.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes! WE all make them…
Get Involved & connect with other students
How many student organizations are available at SGU?
Join a study group
Go out and meet other students
Ask for help. Ask questions. Seek support.
When possible interact with the local population. Don't succumb to the temptation to isolate yourself, even if it is within a group of compatriots.

14. Steps to feeling better!
3. Utilize the resources available to you.
Psychological Services Center (PSC)
Department of Educational Services (DES)
Dean of Students Office (DOS)
Advisors
Registration fees pay for these services!
Ask for help. Ask questions. Seek support.
When possible interact with the local population. Don't succumb to the temptation to isolate yourself, even if it is within a group of compatriots.

15. Solutions Enjoy nature. Sit on the jetty, or take a walk.
SGU Campus has many areas to sit and enjoy the ocean, a sunset, or just to be!

16. Solutions Practice time management Organize your schedule
Classes
Self care
Home, etc.
Stay on track by analyzing how well you are doing in class and how well you are feeling
PRIORITIZE
What is most important…?
You can schedule time for the things that are important

17. Solutions
Take care of yourself physically: get enough rest and exercise, eat well.
Know that there is generally a solution to the problem that you face.

18. No worries, you will soon be going Home: There are breaks

19. Be intentional and succeed!