New Student Timeline
The transition from high school to college is an important milestone in the life of your student.
While every student is different, feelings of nervousness, excitement, pressure, and success are quite common. The following timeline is designed to provide you with information about transitions that students commonly face during their first year of college. We recommend that parents and families take on a coaching or mentoring role and encourage students to make their own decisions and chart their own path.
You can use the information learned at orientation and from this website to refer your student back to available resources. Below is a guide to help you anticipate what your student may experience as the year progresses.
Late Summer
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Be prepared for your student’s and your own conflicting emotions as move-in day approaches. Discomfort is part of the process. Talk about academic expectations and encourage your student to set goals. Make a financial plan and openly discuss payment/spending expectations. Talk about how often you plan to communicate with each other. Discuss the use of alcohol and other personal choices your student will be making. View additional information on the Parent and Family Program website (purchase.edu/parents). |
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September
As students move to campus and begin classes, they are faced with new opportunities to make their own choices, balance social and academic life, and experience new freedoms. Feelings of homesickness and the desire for frequent contact with family are common.
The Office of Community Engagement can help connect new and transfer students to campus through involvement programs and events. Students are also getting to know their roommates, making new friends on campus, adjusting to college policies and procedures, and finding their way around.
This tends to be a time when students incur a lot of expenses for items such as textbooks, school supplies, and room decorations/furnishings.
| Advice for Parents and Families |
| Remember that you are now transitioning into being a coach and mentor to your student. Listen with an open mind and be supportive. Encourage your student to attend campus welcome activities and meet new friends. Ask about classes, friends, and opportunities for involvement. |
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October–November
Classes are in full swing, and students are beginning to get feedback and grades on their assignments. Some may be surprised at the amount of work they have for their classes and may struggle with managing their time. Others will be disappointed about grades on their first exams or assignments. Roommate conflicts may also flare up at this time after the initial “honeymoon” phase is over.
In addition, class enrollment for spring is quickly approaching, and students will be making plans with their academic advisors. Some students might struggle with some addictive behaviors. Many students are already discussing their housing plans for next year.
Of course, life will still continue at home, and students will want to stay informed about what’s going on with their families.
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To be reassuring to your student, express confidence that your student can succeed in this environment. Have two-way conversations: let your student know what’s going on at home and don’t make any major changes—moving, vacations, remodeling your student’s room, etc.—without talking about it first. Be aware of the nation’s political atmosphere and encourage your student to feel comfortable discussing issues. Talk about study skills and time management and refer to campus resources. Encourage your student to form relationships with instructors and attend the in-person appointment with an academic advisor when selecting next semester’s classes. Discuss plans for upcoming events, such as a trip home for Thanksgiving break and how this will change things in your home. Ask about study time, workload, and involvement in campus organizations/activities. Also inquire about taxes and the FAFSA. As your student begins to make housing decisions for next year, make sure your student knows that the residence halls offer many programs popular with returning students. |
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December
As final exams approach, students may feel more stress about academics. This, combined with the onset of winter weather in New York, can leave some students feeling run down.
While they may be anxious for the semester to end, some students are excited about returning home and preparing for the holidays. However, financial strain because of holiday gifts, traveling costs, etc. could cause stress.
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Sending a care package that includes healthy snacks, cold remedies, and favorite holiday items from home can go a long way to boosting your student’s spirits and your student’s immunity to illness. Discuss plans for winter break, including vacation time, working, or doing work for winter session classes. Understand that planning for the holidays is not the same without everyone present. |
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Winter Break
With fall semester finished, many students return home for winter break, and there may be concerns about how they will adjust to routines at home. For many, winter break is an opportunity to catch up on sleep and reconnect with old friends they haven’t seen in months.
They will also begin to receive their first semester grades and experience joy, disappointment, or relief. This could also bring about relationship separation anxiety from a significant other.
| Advice for Parents and Families |
| Conversations about expectations and schedules before and after your student returns home can help ease the transition for all family members. |
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January–February
Students should strive to return from winter break with renewed energy for the semester ahead. A few students may feel emotional stress due to family issues that surfaced over the break or financial stress from the holidays.
This is a typical time for students to reassess their time management strategies and turn over a new leaf, if necessary. Students may also engage in more exploration about their majors or careers, changing their minds, or solidifying previous choices. Students will begin looking into campus leadership positions and involvement opportunities.
Also, students begin thinking about spring break, including making plans for travel, work, or catching up on coursework.
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The house is empty again—it’s a roller coaster ride! You might feel some anxiety about your student’s grades. This is a good time to review or revise budgets based on a semester’s worth of experience. Also ask what changes might need to occur to ensure academic success. Encourage spring break safety. If you haven’t done so already, talk with your student about plans for living arrangements next year; this process can cause social anxiety and a fear of being excluded. Also see October–November’s advice for parents and families regarding making housing decisions as deposits will be due soon. |
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March–May
Spring break comes and goes, and many students start making plans for the summer, all in the midst of another set of midterms. Most students feel more confident with their time-management skills and experience less stress with their exams this time around. They will also be enrolling in classes for the fall and considering options for the summer.
Some students will have mixed feelings about leaving Purchase for the summer, and others will decide to stay to take classes and/or pursue summer work opportunities. Students may feel apprehensive about leaving their friendships and relationships they’ve established over the academic year.
As the spring semester ends, you are likely to be amazed at the changes in your student and all that your student has accomplished this year.
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With a year under your student’s belt, this is a good time to check in about credit card use. Talk about any changes that should be made for academic success. Encourage your student to take advantage of the Career Development Center workshops and events. Ask your student whether taking a summer course might be part of a strategy to stay on track for graduation or a chance to focus on a challenging course. Think about your own plans for the summer. If your student is returning home, discuss expectations regarding rules and responsibilities for the summer, as well as expectations for earning money and saving for the upcoming year. |
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