Rhythm of College
While the college experience is different for every student, there are several patterns that are consistent with the thousands of students who come to Western Michigan University each year. Though each characteristic won’t apply to each student, the following is a list of things to look for as your student progresses through the academic year:
Common characteristics of the first month at college
- Excitement and willingness to try new things is at its highest level.
- Homesickness and a feeling of being “lost” in a large university may become apparent.
- Resentment towards policies and regulations of the University; some students expect college to be a “free for all,” but find that is not the case.
- Peer groups begin to be established.
- Students enjoy new freedoms that come with creating their own class schedules.
Common characteristics of the middle of the first semester
- Opportunities to meet new people are easy to find; campus organizations start having regular meetings which provide great places to become involved.
- Academic pressure mounts due to procrastination, difficulty of work and lack of preparation or background for particular classes.
- Sexual conflicts and confusion begin to show as a result of first time confrontations with different heterosexual standards and homosexuality.
- Freshmen realize that college life is not as perfect as their friends, the media or personal expectations may have led them to believe.
- Old personal problems may continue as new ones are added.
- Long-distance relationships become increasingly difficult.
- Students sign up for spring semester classes, which often allows more flexibility than in fall schedules created during summer orientation.
Common characteristics of the end of the first semester
- Students have adjusted from high school classes to college classes.
- Extracurricular time strain: seasonal parties, concerts, dances and class projects.
- Anxiety, fear and guilt increase as final examinations approach and papers are due.
- Financial strain develops because of holiday presents and travel costs.
- Excitement level rises because of the holidays and vacation.
Common characteristics of the beginning of the second semester
- Students are excited about seeing friends after the holiday break.
- Depression increases for those students who have failed to establish positive social relationships or achieve a moderate amount of recognition.
- Social calendar is not as active; winter weather limits outdoor activities.
- Students have to decide where they plan to live next year.
- Energy level is high and many students experience optimism because the second semester is perceived as going “down hill” as opposed to the struggle of adjusting during the first semester.
Common characteristics of the middle of the second semester
- Spring break provides a much needed vacation and a chance to energize for the rest of the academic year.
- Spring fever sets in; alcohol and drug use increases.
- Mid-term panic develops as academic pressure increases and papers and exams begin piling up.
- Planning fall semester classes may be stressful, but students start to develop direction in their classes as their studies become more focused on their majors.
Common characteristics of the end of the school year
- Close friendships solidify as students face separation over the summer.
- Summer pressures increase: summer job hunting, finding an apartment, deciding whether or not to take summer classes and figuring out how to pay for it all.
- Students moving back home may have difficulty giving up some of the independence that they have grown used to over the past year.
- Feeling of accomplishment is present after completing a full year of college.
