Mid-term challenges
By now, many students have adjusted to their new living arrangements, made friends and settled into classes. Your student will face new challenges in the second half of the semester. Your encouragement can build your student’s confidence to work through challenges, make wise decisions and achieve success.
- The weather is getting colder and the sun sets earlier. Illnesses such as cold and flu are more common during the late fall and winter months. Less sunlight causes some people to feel sad or more tired than usual. Remind your student to dress warmly, wash hands regularly and use the Alexander Health Center when not feeling well physically or emotionally.
- Managing time with homework, papers, club meetings and social commitments, the semester has become very busy by mid-term. Your student might need some advice in learning to plan and manage time effectively. There are 168 hours in each week and students will only spend about 15 hours in class. One strategy is to consider the university to be like a job and spend 40 hours per week on studies.
- Mid-term exams – Your student may feel stressed about upcoming exams or be unsatisfied with recent grades. Listen for signs that your student is struggling with the homework or not completely understanding an assignment. Encourage your student to take action early and use the services at the Center for Student Academic Support (CSAS) or the International Student Success Center (ISSC). There are tutors, notes, teaching assistants, study skill workshops and group study sessions that can help your student do their best work.
More culture adjustment
- Your student may experience “culture shock.” So many things are different from home. At first, these differences were new and interesting, but now these things may cause your student to feel frustrated or upset. It is normal to feel this way, and your student is not alone. Encourage your student not to give up on getting to know the local culture. Choosing friends who
have adapted successfully to life in the U.S. will help your student adjust. Your student can look for role models who have learned to understand local values and appreciate or accept the customs and environment. Learning to adapt will help your student get through “culture shock” and feel more comfortable in the months and years ahead. - This is a good time for your student to schedule an appointment with International Student Services. We are here to listen and help. If your student is not sure how to get through culture shock or other concerns, we can connect your student with people and resources to support them.
- Encourage your student to join a club or attend a campus event. The Association of International Students (AIS) is a great place to find other international students who are successfully adjusting to campus life. Your student will be notified of upcoming campus events through email and social media. Research also shows that participation in campus activities and academic success go together. Out-of-class learning and networking provide deeper engagement and intrinsic motivation for success in the classroom.
- Send your student a care package from home – suggestions include favorite snacks to share with roommates and friends, family photos, notes, and cards. Mailing addresses can be found by clicking on the residence hall where your student lives.
Prepare for spring enrollment
Spring enrollment for first-year students opens the first week in November. Now is the time to make sure all scheduled payments have been made. A “hold” will be placed on student accounts missing
a payment or other requirement; the student will not be allowed to enroll until the missing item is complete. The following must be completed before your student can enroll in spring classes:
- Appointment with an academic advisor
- All required immunizations completed
- All outstanding payments completed