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First Year at a Glance
First Year at a Glance
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Arrive on campus with excitement, trepidation, and anxiety
Move-in with roommates, and learn to navigate this relationship
Deal with homesickness and potentially feeling as though he/she/they do not belong
Class registration
Involvement Fair - sign up for clubs and other on-campus organizations
Learn to navigate the campus
Make friends and discover how to get involved on campus
Figure out time management skills to handle demands of courses
Consider whether to find a job to meet work study expectations
Take first college-level exam
Receive mid-term grades and learn impact of balancing academic and social demands
Prepare to see family for Family Weekend
Registration for spring courses begins
Prepare for final papers and exams
Deal with emotions of having to go home or stay on campus for Thanksgiving break
Papers and exams can be overwhelming as semester ends
Winter break begins
Incoming spring students prepare for arrival on campus
January move-in day
Spring semester begins
Students arrive, requiring similar transition as incoming fall students
Homesickness is not uncommon during this time of the year
Midterm Recess - a week off of classes
Midterm season
Summer planning (summer courses, employment, and internships)
The end of the semester is quickly approaching
Balance academic and social expectations as the pace of end-of-semester events and activities picks up
Spring Break
Springfest - a great opportunity to relax before finals
Final exams, papers and projects.
Last minute summer planning occurs
Say goodbye to friends for the summer or to those graduating
Encourage your student to create a time management schedule.
Remind your student to utilize the Support at Brandeis website for a comprehensive list of resources of support.
Be transparent about your expectations when your student is away at university and/or at home for breaks.
Encourage your student to practice health and wellness strategies.
Reassure your student that it is normal to feel mixed emotions throughout the school year. Finding activities and resources to help manage these fluctuations is essential to student success.