A Parent s Calendar for the First-Year Experience. Created by Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS)

Transcription

1 A Parent s Calendar for the First-Year Experience Created by Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS)

2 August 2018 Chapter 1: new roommates and classmates, new social groups, tough courses, late nights, occasional homesickness. These first few weeks are all about students trying to find balance. Your student may feel stressed, even scared. Let them know UNH has the resources to help ease the transition.

3 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Assure your student that adjusting to college takes time. Encourage participation in Wildcat Days activities and academic meetings to prepare for the year. If your student lives on campus, encourage them to talk with their R.A. or hall director. Hall staff are an excellent source of support and information Fall tuition due WILDCAT DAYS Move-in day first-year students Move-in day returning students Fall classes begin Welcome UNH Parents! Please view UNH resources at the end of this calendar. unh.edu/housing/life-here

4 September 2018 A month in, most students are excited about their new life, but some may feel unsettled or homesick. Not sure how it s going for your student? Ask about dinner companions.

5 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student is having difficulty adjusting to college life, reassure them that it s natural to occasionally feel overwhelmed. Suggest they attend University Day to learn about becoming involved on campus. Remind them that Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) and Living Well Services at Health & Wellness have counselors and wellness coaches to support them Labor Day University holiday Rosh Hashanah (sundown) University Day Student Activities Fair Yom Kippur (sundown) Autumn begins unh.edu/mub unh.edu/health unh.edu/pacs

6 October 2018 As the tempo of campus life amps up, academic demands intensify. A common sign of mental health stress is withdrawal or isolation. If this sounds like your student, remember to listen as they describe concerns about fitting in at UNH.

7 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY HOMECOMING WEEKEND Columbus Day FAMILY WEEKEND WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you are concerned about your student, ask them how they have been feeling. Talk with them about the health and conduct risks of alcohol and drug use. Encourage them to take the online mental health screening on the PACS website and/or call us at for further support. Halloween unh.edu/pacs

8 November 2018 This is a busy month for your student. Don t be surprised if they re stressed over term papers, projects and next month s impending finals. Asking to bring a friend home for Thanksgiving break is a good sign!

9 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student that the Center for Academic Resources offers mentoring and tutoring services, Health & Wellness can help with health needs and Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) is available if they are feeling depressed or anxious Daylight Savings Time ends Election Day No exams scheduled Veterans Day Veterans Day (observed) University holiday THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Residence halls close at 10 a.m. No classes UNH offices are open Thanksgiving Day UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume unh.edu/cfar unh.edu/health

10 December 2018 This is the halfway point of your student s first year of college. As students look forward to winter break, they must first make it through finals. UNH has lots of ways to relieve the stress, including Health & Wellness pet therapy and events sponsored by the MUB, the Hamel Recreation Center and the Office of Residential Life.

11 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student feels anxious, depressed, or expresses feelings of hopelessness, visit the Psychological and Counseling Services website for helpful information and resources. Remind them to celebrate all of their successes and accomplishments, both big and small Hanukkah begins (sundown) Spring tuition due FINAL EXAMS Fall semester classes end Hanukkah ends Reading day; final exams begin at 6 p.m WINTER BREAK Final exams end Residence halls close at 6 p.m. UNH offices are closed WINTER BREAK Boxing Day New Year s Eve Christmas Kwanzaa begins UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed campusrec.unh.edu unh.edu/mub unh.edu/pacs

12 January 2019 As students return to campus for the second semester, they may feel uncertain about readjusting, reconnecting with friends or keeping up with academics. These feelings are natural as students continue to settle into university life.

13 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Encourage your student to view new classes as opportunities for new connections and improved academic performance New Year s Day Kwanzaa ends University offices are closed January term begins University offices open JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK January term ends Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Day University holiday Spring semester classes begin For a full list of student activities and organizations, visit the MUB s website. unh.edu/mub

14 February 2019 Students vary in how they cope with winter weather. They may benefit from more contact with you, or less. Talking to others, working on time management, light therapy sessions at Health & Wellness, maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep all can help beat the winter blues.

15 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Ask your student if they got outside on that first warm day and how much contact from you and other supportive people they want. If you notice changes in their behavior, consult with Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) by phone and/or encourage your student to pay us a visit Valentine s Day Presidents Day unh.edu/health unh.edu/pacs

16 March 2019 Don t be surprised if all your student can talk about is spring break. At the same time, they also may be worried about midterm exams and the fact that their first year of college is coming to a close.

17 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Encourage your student to be safe and be supportive if your student experiences emotional difficulties. The Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) website provides helpful suggestions. Encourage your student to meet with their academic adviser now to beat the rush as the April registration deadline approaches Residence halls close at 6 p.m SPRING BREAK Daylight Savings Time begins St. Patrick s Day Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume unh.edu/pacs

18 April 2019 As students welcome the onset of spring weather, they may find it challenging trying to balance their time. Sometimes socializing can go too far. Common signs of emotional distress in students include a decrease in personal care and engagement in risky behavior.

19 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY April Fool s Day Palm Sunday Tax Day Good Friday Passover begins Easter Earth Day WHAT YOU CAN DO: Applaud your student s efforts to balance study, work and play. If your student s judgment is not as healthy as it was, talk to them about substance use and your concerns that it may affect other parts of their life. Both Living Well and Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) provide substance education and counseling services. unh.edu/health unh.edu/pacs

20 May 2019 The end of the first year is in sight. So are final projects, final exams and wrapping up the details of internships or summer jobs. This is a good time to boost your student s morale by sending a care package, telephoning, ing or texting more frequently.

21 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student that Career and Professional Success (CAPS) can assist with the summer job search. Urge your student to visit Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) for help coping with any unusual stress, anxiety, or depression FINAL EXAMS Ramadan begins (sundown) Spring semester classes end Reading day Reading day Finals begin FINAL EXAMS Mother s Day Finals end Non-graduating residence halls close at noon Commencement Graduate residence halls close at noon Summer session begins Memorial Day unh.edu/career unh.edu/pacs

22 June 2019 School s out for summer! Changes in routine and reduced contact with college friends can leave students feeling emotionally stressed. A common sign is feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.

23 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: A part-time job, an internship or volunteer work can be anchors for students who are lacking structure in the summer. Encourage your student to seek counseling if they are feeling emotionally distressed. Know and recommend helpful resources local to your student if you are concerned about their safety Ramadan ends (sundown) Father s Day unh.edu/pacs

24 July 2019 July is a good time to think about sophomore year. Suggest your student use their first-year experience as a guide for the coming year. Congratulate them on past achievements and successes.

25 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Independence Day WHAT YOU CAN DO: Review the events of the first year to evaluate problem areas and encourage your student to consider possible solutions. Suggest they revaluate time management to properly balance school, work and recreation. unh.edu

26 Welcome to the University of New Hampshire! Know the 5 Signs Personality Change Agitation Withdrawal Poor Self-Care Hopelessness College represents one of life s most important journeys. It is a time of selfdiscovery, a time of new ideas, new friendships, new freedoms. It can also be a time of high stress as your student tries to navigate the challenges that come with all that newness. This calendar offers a list of resources to draw from should you find your student in need of extra support, be it academic or emotional, managing their time or timing their course of study: Should I go abroad junior year? Do an internship? Take a semester off for health reasons? Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) provides individual and group counseling, emergency assistance, crisis management, and educational outreach programs. Our staff includes psychologists, licensed mental health clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, pre-doctoral interns, a consulting psychiatrist, and administrative support staff. If you are concerned that your student has thoughts about self-harm or suicide, call the UNH Police immediately ( ). Contact PACS ( ) if you are worried about your student s emotional state. For additional resources, please refer to the back page of this calendar. PACS supports the national mental health campaign Know the 5 Signs, which raises awareness regarding the one in five adults with some mental health condition. More information can be found at changedirection.org.

27 Helpful Resources University Operators University Police Psychological and Counseling Services Notes Academic/Financial Services Admissions admissions.unh.edu Business Services unh.edu/business-services Financial Aid Office unh.edu/financialaid Parents Association unh.edu/parents Registrar s Office unh.edu/registrar On-Campus Living Dining Services unh.edu/dining Housing Office unh.edu/housing Wellbeing Support Services Health & Wellness unh.edu/health Living Well unh.edu/health/ohep/livingwell Medical Services unh.edu/health/services Psychological and Counseling Services unh.edu/pacs Sexual Harassment & Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) unh.edu/sharpp Student Services Career & Professional Success (CAPS) unh.edu/career Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) unh.edu/cfar Connors Writing Center unh.edu/writing Hamel Recreation Center campusrec.unh.edu MUB Student Organizations and Activities unh.edu/mub Student Accessibility Services (SAS) unh.edu/studentaccessibility Student Life/Dean of Students unh.edu/student-life University Advising Center unh.edu/uac

28 Psychological and Counseling Services 3 Garrison Avenue Durham, NH NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DURHAM, NH PERMIT NUMBER 2 unh.edu/parents