June – August
Potential Stressors
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Anxiety about leaving home, friends and family.
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Worried about the impact of changes in relationships.
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Excited and unprepared for what is to come.
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Wondering "Will I fit in? Will I like my roommates?"
Resources Available
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September
Potential Stressors
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Making friends and fitting in, becoming familiar with surroundings.
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Adjusting to a different learning environment - new courses, increased workload and new methods of evaluation.
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Adjusting to less structure than in high school, the self-discipline needed to study.
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Questioning choice of university and/or academic program.
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Feeling homesick, getting along with roommate(s).
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Experiencing new found freedom and testing self-imposed boundaries.
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If living at home, an expectation that life at home will change too.
Resources Available
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October
Potential Stressors
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Preparation for university exams begins (mid-October to mid-November).
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Time management - unaware of the self discipline needed.
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Surprise and disappointment at lower marks, not seeing the same results as in high school.
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Difficulty making choices about maintaining relationships with family and friends while starting a new life and new friends, juggling home and school commitments.
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Financial stress and discovering the need to budget.
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Maintaining part-time employment off campus.
Resources Available
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Meet with an Academic Advisor.
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Attend a Learning Skills Seminar for time management and study skills sessions.
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November
Potential Stressors
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Increased academic stress due to an accumulation of work.
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May become sick or physically drained.
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May see increased alcohol consumption, increased loneliness.
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May question intellectual abilities, thoughts of not returning to the university next semester.
Resources Available
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December
Potential Stressors
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Preparations for final exams, workload can feel overwhelming.
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Student may bury themselves in their studies.
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Worries begin about the next semester, course selection, etc.
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Financial stress due to holiday spending, tuition fees due shortly.
Resources Available
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January
Potential Stressors
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Excited to see people on campus and start new courses.
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Students in residence may be home sick after returning home in December.
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Thoughts about where to live next year, applying for positions on and off campus, searching for summer employment.
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Inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, indicated by weight loss/gain and stress level.
Resources Available
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February
Potential Stressors
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Anxiety about studying/preparing for mid-terms.
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The Winter Blues, mood is affected by bad weather, lack of energy and enthusiasm.
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Worries about admission into desired academic program for 2 nd year.
Resources Available
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March
Potential Stressors
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Concern about completing work for courses, pressure to do well on final exams.
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Concern about housing and employment for next year if this has not been secured.
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Questioning program, and ability/desire to return to university next year.
Resources Available
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Working with a Peer Counselor to create a study schedule for final exams.
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Refer to the final exam schedule to coordinate your exam schedule.
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On campus events and activities can help students take a break and relax.
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Meet with a Co-op Program Coordinator (Arts & Science, Management) to discuss placement and courses.
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April
Potential Stressors
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Concern about marks and academic results for the year.
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Anxiety about the year ending, going home, finding summer employment.
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Concern about gaining entrance into a different program.
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Regrets about missed opportunities such as friendships, leadership or job opportunities.
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Relief that exams are over and excitement about taking a break from academic life.
Resources Available
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