Dear Parents,
Now that freshmen have completed their first semester, managed to live with their roommates, and developed new friendships, your student has returned to UP recharged and more self-assured. At the beginning of fall semester, many freshmen did not realize they had to spend so much of their “free” time reading, studying, and preparing for classes. By mid-term, most had learned they must spend at least two hours of preparation for every hour of class if they want to earn an average grade of a “B” (3 hours for an “A”). Unfortunately, for some, their delayed realization caused a slump in their grades. However, the pep talks they received from you must have sunk in. A good number of freshmen have returned with renewed motivation and are now eager to start their spring semester strong. Last semester, we spent many hours discussing time management; this semester many students are coming to visit with time management plans already formulated. For those reasons, parents, please keep up the positive re-enforcement.
Several freshmen have said that they like their classes better this semester, their reason being they had a chance to review the course schedule, they selected their own courses, and they know why they are required to take certain courses. This positive attitude and renewed vigor should aid their academic performance. Students that performed below expectation do, in most cases, raise their grades over the spring semester. However, as many tell us (to tell you), they hope their parents are not expecting miracles.
New Anxieties:
Along with students aiming to raise their grades, spring semester also brings new anxieties. In addition to old anxieties such as grades, meeting people, eating healthy and finding time for everything including sleep, many freshmen also now worry about choosing an academic major, wonder if their current major is the right one for them, or if they should explore a double major or a minor. In March, freshmen will begin registering for next fall’s classes. To help them, we usually make a few suggestions. First, they should understand that choosing a major is not choosing a career. Many students attending college now will have at least four to five careers in their lives. Students should find a major that interests them.
Second, we recommend they visit the Career Center. Interests do change, but the Career Center will at least help give direction for some places to start. The Career Center can also help explore internship options and help students develop networking and interviewing skills for summer jobs. Third, they should look to upperclassmen they admire and ask them about their major. Usually students with like interests and personalities will have similar academic interests. When they have narrowed their choices to two or three majors, we suggest they make appointments to meet with faculty members in those academic areas. Faculty members are happy to talk with students about their academic area and the career opportunities available. In this and the next few letters, we will provide some idea of the career fields available in different academic majors.
During the freshman year, many students deal with losses: deaths of loved ones, divorce of their parents, and a simultaneous separation from familiar things. Sometimes freshmen feel helpless. More unfortunate is that many freshmen do not seek counseling or help through these stresses and depressions. Many freshmen feel they should be adult enough to handle these problems. We hope if these issues arise, you will counsel your son or daughter to seek a little comfort, listening, or other help from the University Health and Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, and Pastoral Care personnel. The University has many people trained to help freshmen through these stresses.
The upcoming freshmen anxieties are numerous, but there are ways to help. Spring Break is coming soon, March 12th – 16th. Some freshmen may not wish to spend the break at home, because their friends will be traveling to places like Mexico, Hawaii and other warm, sunny locations. Nevertheless, many students will be coming home to find jobs for the summer. Most will not be too eager to face the job market, so you can assist them with little reminders to update their resumes and utilize their networks. Please remember that your student will, again, return tired and in need of sleep, so rousing them out of bed at 8 a.m. may be a little hard. Remember, too, that any encouragement you can give will boost their confidence.
Sincerely,
Brenda Greiner
Director, Shepard Academic Resource Center
