June - Summer and Evaluating the First Year
The end of the academic year can be looked at from a different perspective once your student has returned home. There is time to reflect on the challenges that your student faced and his or her successes and failures.
- Developed new skills, made new friends, experienced new things, and discovered new interests
- Academic challenges and possible disappointment over failure to meet expectations
- Poor academic performance may lead to doubt in abilities and loss of confidence
- Challenges with time and money management
- Need to re-energize for the fall semester
What Families Can Do
- If your student has returned home for the summer, take some time to get reacquainted.
- Review the events of the first year with your student. This may be the first time your student has time to reflect on the meaning of his academic experience.
- Discuss how initial academic interests and career plans have been affected. This can be an occasion for increased motivation towards original goals or an opportunity to explore alternative plans.
- Help identify problem areas and encourage your student to consider the possible solutions. Suggest campus resources that may help.
- Discuss spring grades and academic strategies and priorities related to the fall semester.
- As the summer progresses, your student may express some loneliness for friends made at college, a "home" away for home. Discuss the value of your student having developed a positive sense of campus life and plans for involvement next year.