2017 18 A Parent s Calendar for the First-Year Experience Created by Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS)
August 2017 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Fall tuition due 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WILDCAT DAYS 27 28 29 30 31 WHAT YOU CAN DO: Ask your student how they want to communicate and contact them frequently. Encourage participation in Wildcat Days activities and academic meetings to prepare for the year. If your student lives on Move-in day returning students Fall classes begin Move-in day first-year students campus, encourage them to talk with their R.A. or hall director. Welcome UNH Parents! Please view UNH resources at the end of this calendar. unh.edu
September 2017 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. Or plan a visit during Homecoming & Family Weekend this month.
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 feel overwhelmed. Suggest they join a campus organization, explore work opportunities or talk with a counselor at Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Labor Day University holiday 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 University Day Student Activities Fair 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND Rosh Hashanah (sundown) Autumn begins 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Yom Kippur (sundown) unh.edu/parents
October 2017 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.
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 Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) website (unh.edu/pacs) and/or call 603-862-2090 for further support. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Columbus Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Halloween unh.edu/pacs
November 2017 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 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Daylight Savings Time ends Election Day No exams scheduled Veterans Day (observed) University holiday 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Residence halls close at 10 a.m. No classes UNH offices are open 26 27 28 29 30 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
December 2017 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student seems anxious or depressed or expresses feelings of hopelessness, visit the Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) website for helpful information and resources. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Spring tuition due Fall semester classes end 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 FINAL EXAMS Reading day; final exams begin at 6 p.m. Hanukkah (sundown) 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Final exams end Residence halls close at 6 p.m. WINTER BREAK Hanukkah ends 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 WINTER BREAK Boxing Day Christmas Kwanzaa begins New Year s Eve UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed unh.edu/pacs
January 2018 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK New Year s Day Kwanzaa ends University offices are closed January term begins University offices open 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 JANUARY TERM WINTER BREAK Martin Luther King Jr. Day University holiday January term ends 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Spring semester classes begin 28 29 30 31 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. unhmub.com
February 2018 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.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Valentine s Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Presidents Day 25 26 27 28 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 Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) by phone and/or encourage your student to pay us a visit. unh.edu/pacs
March 2018 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 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Residence halls close at 6 p.m. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 SPRING BREAK Daylight Savings Time begins 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 St. Patrick s Day Residence halls open at 9 a.m. Classes resume 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 unh.edu/pacs
April 2018 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.
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 substance use and your concerns that it may affect other parts of their life. Both the Office of Heath Education and Promotion and Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) provide substance education and counseling services. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Easter April Fool s Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Earth Day Tax Day unh.edu/health/ohep
May 2018 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, emailing or texting more frequently.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 FINAL EXAMS Spring semester classes end Reading day Reading day Finals begin 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 FINAL EXAMS Mother s Day Finals end Non-graduating residence halls close at noon 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Commencement Graduate residence halls close at noon 27 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day Summer session begins WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student that the University Advising Center can assist with the summer job search. Urge your student to visit Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) for help in coping with any unusual stress, anxiety or depression. unh.edu/uac
June 2018 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.
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 volunteer work can be anchors for students who are lacking structure in the summer. Know and recommend helpful resources local to your student if you are concerned about their safety. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Father s Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 unh.edu/pacs
July 2018 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 Independence Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 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? Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) provides individual, relationship and group counseling, emergency assistance, crisis management and educational outreach programs. Our staff includes seven licensed psychologists, five licensed mental health clinicians, three postdoctoral fellows, a consulting psychiatrist, three administrative support staff and additional clinical staff as needed. If you are concerned that your student has thoughts about self-harm or suicide, call the UNH Police immediately (603-862-1427). Contact PACS (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. 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.
Helpful Resources University Operators 862-1234 University Police 862-1427 Psychological and Counseling Services 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 862-2053 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 Psychological and Counseling Services 862-2090 unh.edu/pacs Health & Wellness Education/Counseling 862-3823 unh.edu/health Health & Wellness Medical Care 862-2856 unh.edu/health 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 Student Accessibility Services (SAS) 862-2607 unh.edu/studentaccessibility MUB Student Organizations and Activities 862-2600 unhmub.com Student and Academic Services 862-2053 unh.edu/student-life University Advising Center 862-2064 unh.edu/uac
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