Typical Ups and Downs of College Life

August/September

  • Excitement and testing new-found freedom
  • Frequent calls and visits home
  • Anxiety about roommates, professors, and classes
  • First exams

October

  • Roommate problems begin to arise
  • Students question: Do I fit in here?
  • First test grades returned
  • Midterm exams
  • Love relationships from home remain strong
  • Consequences of decision-making experienced

November

  • Midterm grades returned
  • Roommate challenges become more clear
  • Many exams and papers due before Thanksgiving Break
  • Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for Thanksgiving
  • First series of campus-wide illness (cold, flu, strep, etc.)

December

  • Anxiety over preparations for finals
  • Excitement and/or anxiety regarding going home for holidays
  • Sadness about leaving new friendship and/or love relationships
  • Roommate challenges continue

January

  • "Fresh Start" mentality with the new term
  • Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall term grades
  • Homesickness
  • Loneliness for love relationship back home
  • Relief being away from home and back at school

February

  • Feelings of claustrophobia and depression set in with winter
  • Potential increase in alcohol and other substance abuse
  • Challenges with love relationship at home
  • Valentine's Day brings out loneliness, isolation

March

  • Anxiety regarding finding roommates for next year
  • Excitement and/or disappointment regarding spring break plans
  • Midterm exam stress
  • Concern over summer employment
  • Concern over winter weight gain

April/May

  • Excitement with arrival of spring
  • Concern over declaring a major
  • End of semester pressure
  • Final exam anxiety
  • Apprehension about returning home for the summer and realization of how college influences life decisions