New Semester? How Can I Help?
The Spring 2022 semester is upon us which means new classes and new opportunities lie ahead for your students! With that, however, often comes lingering feelings of anticipation and fear of the unknown. During the first week students will likely be introduced to each class’s expectations by getting a comprehensive overview of every assignment, paper, quiz, and test that lies before them. Pair this with navigating new buildings, learning new routines, and meeting new instructors, and there becomes a lot of room for self-doubt. Taking in all of this information at once can certainly be overwhelming and result in either complete shut down or hyper-focus. So, what can you do to support your student in finding that balance? I’m glad you asked…
A full-time student will be enrolled in at least 12 units and up to 19 in a given semester. A typical class may range from 3-4 units, so a student enrolled in 15 units may be taking around 5 classes. Each class has a different syllabus with different deadlines and structures in place, making it the student’s responsibility to stay organized and maintain all of their due dates. Looking at an entire semester’s worth of work all at once for 5 different classes can certainly elicit some panic because it’s hard to break it up in our minds.
We usually like to help the student find a method of tracking that works for them. Most students have some type of planner, whether that be physical or digital. Either way, we do recommend that students take the first week or so to input all of their assignments, exams, and due dates including personal events such as a trip or an interview. Taking the time to do this manually will expose them to each assignment ahead of time and give them a feel for the rhythm of each class. Usually there is some type of pattern that instructors will stick to for each module or section of material they cover (i.e. discussion posts due Friday mornings and a quiz every 3 weeks). Not only that, but this gives your students the foresight to see if there are days they may have overlap in assignments or tests, allowing them to plan accordingly and start the study process early. An online portal called D2L that students use to access class material has a built-in calendar that can be extremely useful as well, but there can be a lack of consistency with how teachers use it, which is why it is recommended that students keep track of those dates as well.
The ThinkTank offers some great resources on how to do this effectively – a personal favorite is the SOAP (Semester on a Page). Every student varies and processes their own routine differently so it may take some time to find a system that really resonates and that is perfectly okay! College is all about learning through trial and error. Your student can always set up an appointment with their academic advisor for tips on how to get started and how to manage any concerns they have. If their workload is too much and they are considering dropping a class, please encourage them to consult with their advisor first and be aware of the deadlines in place. There are many implications of adjusting schedules that students may not always realize (financial aid eligibility, course progression and offerings, withdraw periods, etc.).
The best thing you can do for your student is to help them be optimistic, yet realistic about what needs to be done right now. Allow them the space to explore their learning preferences and develop meaningful habits. Remind them that the University of Arizona has plenty of resources designed specifically for their success and their advisor is always the best place to start. Since they trust you and value your input, they may seek reassurance at this time, and you can help by normalizing those feelings of doubt. College is the perfect place to grow, and it is those challenges that develop our character. Just remember, no student is expected to have all the answers or embark on this alone. Check out our University Wayfinders for more tips and information!