College adjustment
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Freshman Phases
Every student’s freshman year of college passes in a series of phases. In the first phase, college feels like camp, but then reality hits. The realization that they can't eat Mom's home cooking every day, that four tests can determine a semester grade, and that dirty laundry doesn’t wash itself can be overwhelming for students.
Make like a Boy (or Girl) Scout and prepare for these stages before they hit to help your student adjust. We’ve come up with some common phases you can expect, but because everyone handles the adjustment differently, this is only a guide.
Phase 1: Stress of the new and shiny college life
Students are plunged into the collegiate environment: living with a roommate, wolfing down every meal in a cafeteria as they dash to and from classes, and hanging out with a few thousand strangers instead of the usual gang.
Phase 2: The honeymoon
Some new friends and no tests for at least three weeks! Let’s get this party started!
Phase 3: The end of the honeymoon
Where did all this homework come from? Where did my free time go? This early panic attack usually isn’t enough to send students to the library or to tutors. At least, not yet.
Phase 4: Hitting bottom
Classes get harder, stress increases, and transferring to a school closer to home sounds better and better. You may receive some mopey, homesick calls as students realize life at home goes on without them.
Phase 5: Primitive coping behavior
Classes are back under control as students finally figure out where the library is. Ask about class, and you may even receive a reasonably intelligent conversation about what they’ve learned.
Phase 6: Realization
In the weeks before finals, minor panic attacks occur as students frantically work to pass their classes. This is crunch time as papers, projects, and tests flow into a huge ball-o’-stress.
Phase 7: Putting it together
Most students find a balance between taking care of business and having fun. It may not be Zen-like, but it will provide a way for students to make the most of their college years. Then again, there are some students who graduate in spite of themselves.
What to expect—a timeline
Chart the transition with the K-State Parents and Family Association’s first-year timeline