developed by the counseling center - unh.edu · developed by the counseling center. 2016–17....

A Parent’s Calendar for the First-year Experience

Developed by the Counseling Center

2016–17

August 2016 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.

S U N DAY M O N DAY T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY T H U R S DAY F R I DAY S AT U R DAY

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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 campus, encourage them to talk with their R.A. or hall director.

Fall classes begin

Fall tuition due

Move-in day returning students

Move-in day first-year students

unh.eduWelcome UNH Parents! Please view UNH’s Resources at the end of this calendar.

W I L D C AT D AY S

September 2016 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 in October.


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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.

Labor Day University holiday

Autumn begins

University Day Student activities fair

unh.edu/parents

H O M E C O M I N G W E E K E N D

October 2016 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.


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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/counseling-center) and/or call 603-862-2090 for further support.

Columbus Day

H O M E C O M I N G W E E K E N D

Halloween

unh.edu/counseling-center

Rosh Hashanah (sundown)

Yom Kippur (sundown)

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November 2016 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!


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27 28 29 30 WHAT YOU CAN DO: Remind your student that 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.

T H A N K S G I V I N G H O L I D A Y

Election Day No exams scheduled

Residence halls close at 6 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day UNH offices are closed

Veterans Day (observed) University holiday

Daylight Savings Time ends

Classes resumeResidence halls open at 9 a.m.

unh.edu/cfar | unh.edu/health-services

UNH offices are closed

No classes UNH offices are open

December 2016 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 Hamel Recreation Center and the Office of Residential Life.

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 Hamel Recreation Center and the Office of Residential Life.


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WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your student seems anxious or depressed or expresses feelings of hopelessness, visit the Counseling Center’s website for helpful information and resources.

Reading day; final exams begin

at 6 p.m.

Fall semester classes end

Final exams end Residence halls close at 3 p.m.

Boxing Day

Kwanzaa begins


Christmas

UNH offices are closedNew Year’s Eve


Spring tuition due

Hanukkah (sundown)

F I N A L E X A M S

W I N T E R B R E A K

UNH offices are closed UNH offices are closed



January 2017 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.


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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



Martin Luther King Jr. Day University holiday

Residence halls open at 9 a.m.

New Year’s Day observed UNH offices are closed

January term ends

J A N U A R Y T E R M



New Year’s Day Hanukkah ends Kwanzaa ends

January term begins

University offices open


Spring semester classes begin

February 2017 Students vary in how they cope with winter weather. They may benefit from more contact from you, or less. Talking to others, working on time management, light therapy sessions at Health Services, maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep all can help beat the winter blues.


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 encourage your student to pay us a visit.


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Valentine’s Day

Presidents’ Day

March 2017 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.


WHAT YOU CAN DO: Be supportive if your student experiences emotional difficulties. The Counseling Center website provides helpful suggestions. Encourage your student to meet with their academic adviser now to “beat the rush” as the April registration deadline approaches.


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Daylight Savings Time begins

Classes resume

St. Patrick’s Day

S P R I N G B R E A K

Residence halls close at 6 p.m.

Residence halls open at 9 a.m.

April 2017 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.


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 the Counseling Center provide substance education and counseling services.

unh.edu/health-services/ohep

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Earth DayTax Day

April Fool’s Day

Easter

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May 2017 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.


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.

unh.edu/uacc

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Mother’s Day

Spring semester classes end Finals begin

Finals end

Non-graduating residence halls close at 12 p.m. Commencement

Memorial Day Summer session begins

Graduate residence halls close at 12 p.m.

F I N A L E X A M S

F I N A L E X A M S

Reading day Reading day

June 2017 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.


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.

unh.edu/parents

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Father’s Day

July 2017 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.


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

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Independence Day

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Welcome to the University of New Hampshire!

College represents one of life’s most important journeys. It is a time of self-discovery, 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 12 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 that your student has thoughts about self-harm or suicide, call the UNH Police immediately (603-862-1427). 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,” which raises awareness regarding the one in five adults with some mental health condition. More information can be found at changedirection.org.

Agitation

Personality Change

Withdrawal

Poor Self-Care

Hopelessness

Know the 5 Signs

University Operators 862-1234University Police 862-1427Counseling Center 862-2090

Academic/Financial Services Admissions 862-1360 admissions.unh.eduBusiness Services 862-2230 unh.edu/business-servicesFinancial Aid Office 862-3600 unh.edu/financialaidParents Association 862-4370 unh.edu/parentsRegistrar’s Office 862-1500 unh.edu/registrar

On-Campus LivingDining Services 862-3463 unh.edu/diningHousing Office 862-2120 unh.edu/housing

Health & WellbeingCounseling Center 862-2090 unh.edu/counseling-centerHealth Services Education/Counseling 862-3823 unh.edu/health-services Health Services Medical Care 862-2856 unh.edu/health-servicesPrevention Program (SHARPP) 862-3494 unh.edu/sharpp

Student ServicesCenter for Academic Resources (CFAR) 862-3698 unh.edu/cfar Connors Writing Center 862-3272 unh.edu/writingDisability Services for Students (DSS) 862-2607 unh.edu/disabilityservicesMUB Student Organizations and Activities 862-2600 unhmub.comStudent and Academic Services 862-2053 unh.edu/student-lifeUniversity Advising and Career Center 862-2064 unh.edu/uacc

Helpful Resources

Notes

Communications and Public Affairs15 Strafford AvenueDurham, NH 03824-1953

Designed and produced by UNH Communications and Public Affairs.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID DURHAM, NHPERMIT NUMBER 2

unh.edu/parents

developed by the counseling center - unh.edu · developed by the counseling center. 2016–17....

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