2015 16 A Parent s Calendar for the First-year Experience Developed by the Counseling Center
August 2015 Chapter 1: new roommates and classmates; new social groups; tough courses; late nights; 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Ask your student how they want to communicate (text, online, phone or some combination?) and contact them frequently. Assure them adjustments are common and take 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fall tuition due 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 WILDCAT DAYS Move-in day returning students Fall classes begin Move-in day first-year students Welcome UNH Parents! Please view UNH s Resources at the end of this calendar. unh.edu
September 2015 A month in, most students are excited about their new life while others may feel unsettled or homesick. Not sure how it s going for your student? Ask about dinner companions. Or plan a visit during Family Weekend Sept. 25-27.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Labor Day University holiday 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Rosh Hashanah (sundown) University Day Student Activities Fair 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 FAMILY WEEKEND Yom Kippur (sundown) Autumn begins 27 28 29 30 WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student is having difficulty adjusting to college life, reassure them that it s natural to feel overwhelmed. Suggest they join a campus organization, explore work opportunities or talk with a counselor at the Counseling Center. unh.edu/parents
October 2015 As the tempo of campus life amps up, academic demands are in full swing. 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Assess your student through statements like I m noticing you are not talking about class as much or You seem tired. How have you been feeling this week? Encourage them to take the online mental health screening on the Counseling Center website (unh.edu/counselingcenter) and/or call 603-862-2090 for further support. 1 2 3 HOMECOMING FALL REUNION 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Columbus Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Halloween unh.edu/counseling-center
November 2015 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!
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Daylight Saving Time ends Election Day No exams scheduled 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Veterans Day (observed) University holiday 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Residence halls close at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed 29 30 WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student the Center for Academic Resources offers mentoring and tutoring services, Health Services can help with health needs, and the Counseling Center is available if they are feeling depressed or anxious. Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume unh.edu/cfar unh.edu/health-services
December 2015 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 Services therapy dogs at Dimond Library and events sponsored by the MUB, the Recreation Center, and the Office of Residential Life.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student seems anxious, depressed, or expresses feelings of hopelessness, visit the Counseling Center s website for helpful information and resources. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hanukkah (sundown) Spring tuition due Last day of classes 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 FINAL EXAMS Reading day; final exams begin at 6 p.m. Hanukkah ends Final exams end Residence halls close at 3 p.m. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WINTER BREAK 27 28 29 30 31 Christmas UNH offices are closed Boxing Day Kwanzaa begins UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed New Year s Eve UNH offices are closed unh.edu/counseling-center
January 2016 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Encourage your student to view classes and classmates as opportunities for new connections and improved academic performance. For a full list of student activities and organizations, visit the MUB s website. 1 2 WINTER BREAK 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 JANUARY TERM New Year s Day Kwanzaa ends UNH offices are closed WINTER BREAK January term begins University offices open 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK Martin Luther King Jr. Day University holiday January term ends 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume unhmub.com
February 2016 Students vary in how they cope with winter weather. They may benefit from more contact from you, or less. Talking to others, managing their time, light therapy sessions at Health Services, maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep all can help beat the winter blues.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Valentine s Day Presidents Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 WHAT YOU CAN DO: Ask your student how much contact from you and other supportive people they want. If you notice changes in their behavior, consult with the Counseling Center by phone and/or recommend that your student pay us a visit. unh.edu/counseling-center
March 2016 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Be supportive if your student experiences emotional difficulties. The Counseling Center website provides helpful suggestions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Residence halls close at 6 p.m. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 SPRING BREAK Daylight Savings Time begins St. Patrick s Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume 27 28 29 30 31 Encourage your student to meet with their academic adviser now to beat the rush as the April registration deadline approaches. Easter unh.edu/counseling-center
April 2016 As students welcome the onset of spring weather they may find it challenging trying to balance their time. Sometimes socializing can go too far. A common sign of emotional distress is that people stop taking care of themselves or engage in risky behavior.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student s judgment is not as healthy as it was, talk to them about their substance use and your concerns that it may affect other parts of their life. Both the Office of Heath Education and Promotion and the Counseling Center provide substance education and counseling services. 1 2 April Fools Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Tax Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Earth Day unh.edu/health-services/ohep
May 2016 The end of the first year is in sight. So are final projects, final exams, 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, emailing, or texting more frequently.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 FINAL EXAMS Mother s Day Last day of classes Finals begin 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 FINAL EXAMS Finals end Non-graduate residence halls close at 6p.m. Commencement 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Graduate residence halls close at 12 p.m. 29 30 31 WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student that Career Services can assist with the summer job search. Urge your student to visit the Counseling Center for help in coping with any unusual stress, anxiety or depression. Send a smile care package available at unh.edu/dining/send-smile-care-packages. Memorial Day Summer session begins unh.edu/uacc
June 2016 Schools out for summer! Changes in routine and less contact with college friends can leave students feeling emotionally stressed. A common sign is feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: Encourage your student to seek counseling if they are feeling emotionally distressed. A part-time job, an internship, or volunteering can be anchors for students who are lacking structure in the summer. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Father s Day 26 27 28 29 30 Know and recommend helpful resources local to your student if there is a concern for their safety. unh.edu/parents
July 2016 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Independence Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24/31 25 26 27 28 29 30 unh.edu
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? The Counseling Center provides individual, relationship and group counseling, emergency assistance, crisis management, and educational outreach programs. Our staff includes 11 licensed psychologists, three doctoral interns, three postdoctoral fellows, a consulting psychiatrist, three administrative support staff, and additional clinical staff as needed. If you are concerned your student has self-harm or suicidal thoughts, call the UNH police immediatley (603.851.1427). Contact the Counseling Center (603-862-2090) if you are worried about your student s emotional state. For additional resources, please refer to the back page of this calendar. The Counseling Center supports the national mental health campaign Know the 5 Signs whose messaging raises awareness regarding the one in five adults with some mental health condition. More information can be found at changedirection.org.
Helpful Resources University Operators 862.1234 University Police 862.1427 Counseling Center 862.2090 Notes Academic/Financial Services Admissions 862.1360 admissions.unh.edu Business Services 862.2230 unh.edu/business-services Financial Aid Office 862.3600 unh.edu/financialaid Parents Association 862.4370 unh.edu/parents Registrar s Office 862.1500 unh.edu/registrar On Campus Living Dining Services 862.3463 unh.edu/dining Housing Office 862.2120 unh.edu/housing Health & Wellbeing Counseling Center 862.2090 unh.edu/counseling-center Health Services Education/Counseling 862.3823 unh.edu/health-services Health Services Medical Care 862.2856 unh.edu/health-services SEXUAL HARASSMENT & RAPE Prevention Program (SHARPP) 862.3494 unh.edu/sharpp Student Services Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) 862.3698 unh.edu/cfar Connors Writing Center 862.3272 unh.edu/writing Disability Services for Students (DSS) 862.2607 unh.edu/disabilityservices MUB Student Organizations and Activities 862.2600 unhmub.com Student and Academic Services 862.2053 unh.edu/vpsas/ University Advising and Career Center 862.2064 unh.edu/uacc
BULLETIN OF THE PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID DURHAM, NH 03824 Communications and Public Affairs 15 Strafford Avenue Durham, NH 03824-1953 Welcome to the UNH Parents Association The UNH Parents Association has been strengthening the connection between home and campus for more than 35 years. Some 20,000 parents of UNH undergrads share your interest in campus life and student welfare. Check out the website for more information. unh.edu/parents Follow us on Facebook UNH Parents UNH Parents Association Elliott Alumni Center 9 Edgewood Road Durham, NH 03824-3547 603.862.4370 unh.edu/parents The calendar s development was supported by the UNH Parents Association and Communications and Public Affairs.