SUPPORTING YOUR GREYHOUND

Choosing to attend college is a big decision. For many, attending college is the next logical step in their educational journey. For others, the decision is life changing, especially for a fi rst-generation college student. The bottom line is there is no “typical” college student, and no matter what a student’s background is, there will always be transitions ahead.

Transitions are not limited to the fi rst few weeks of attending Eastern. While no list covers everything, the following are a few areas you may want to consider when talking with your Greyhound throughout the upcoming year.

August | New Greyhounds generally experience an overall excitement, along with feelings of homesickness, initial roommate worries, potential abuses of freedom, visits home, and other changes.

September | The fi rst set of exams for classes generally occurs in the fourth or fi fth week of each semester. Other concerns can be overcoming possible roommate challenges, fi nding ways to get involved with student groups and initiating friendships.

October | Midterm grades are posted.

Greyhounds may experience the results of personal decision-making related to the time they spend doing coursework versus the time they spend with friends. There may be issues with feeling like they don’t fi t in or establishing their identity.

November | Anxiety may surface regarding fall illnesses, tests and papers due, next semester’s enrollment, and apprehension or excitement about going home for Thanksgiving (What type of questions will my family ask? Will they be proud of me? Am I heading in the right direction?).

December | Fi nals week and fi nal grades are posted; stress from class projects due, money issues, as well as continued mixed feelings about going home for Winter Break and holiday family traditions might be of concern.

January | It’s a new semester; decisions and adjustments regarding last semester’s activities and academic performance will need to be discussed.

February | Greyhounds may miss home again; some are relieved to be back at school, and some just want winter to end. Valentine’s Day can be an issue for young relationships.

March | Spring Break, making choices for the next school year, such as deciding what to major in (or potentially changing a major), midterms, summer employment, or trying to fi nd an internship may bring stress.

April | As spring weather returns, the end of the semester is coming fast. Questions of “Am I in the right place? Am I heading in the right direction?” may arise. Initial decisions about a living situation for next year could be an issue.

May | Fi nal exams and fi nal grades are posted, choosing to stay in town or go home for the summer, separating from college friends, realizing their fi rst year at ENMU is over, wondering if they accomplished what they should have, and planning family and/or work activities throughout the summer can cause anxiety.

Year-Round Tips

We believe these are the best ways you can help your Greyhound are to:

• Listen to your Greyhound’s fears and aspirations; keep an open mind.

• Help your Greyhound take initiative and plan ahead.

• Be familiar with campus resources so you can suggest places they can fi nd help.

• Send your Greyhound notes or care packages periodically during their time away from home.

• Encourage your Greyhound to understand many victories come through learning from past mistakes.

• Avoid “taking care of everything” and encourage your Greyhound as they make decisions in navigating diffi cult situations.

• Stay positive and encourage open communication.

• Encourage your Greyhound to connect with an upperclassman, staff member, faculty member, or another mentor.

Visit (but please call ahead)

Visits from parents (especially when accompanied by dinners out or shopping sprees) are another part of fi rst-year events Greyhounds are reluctant to admit liking but appreciate greatly. A pretended disgust for those visits is just a part of usual fi rstyear behavior. Your visits will give you an organic way to become familiar with (and hopefully, more understanding of) your Greyhound’s new activities, commitments, and friends. Additionally, this will give your Greyhound a chance to introduce some of the important people in their world.

Helping your Greyhound with the "lonely feeling"

Your Greyhound is making a big transition. High school friends could be attending different colleges, they are in a new environment ... they are out of their comfort zone! Homesickness and loneliness can set in during the fi rst few weeks of college. Here are a few tips to help support your Greyhound:

Get off social media

Encourage your Greyhound to spend less time on social media, and spend more time in the residence hall common areas. This can be the fi rst step to making new friends. Let them know they are not the only one who is having this feeling and encourage them to take a step to say "hello" to other Greyhounds.

Get involved with campus organizations

During Dawg Days (new student orientation) Greyhounds have the opportunity to see a majority of ENMU's organizations, ranging from academic and community service-oriented groups to social and fun-driven clubs. While they may not know exactly where they fi t in, have them talk to other students about the different opportunities available.

Reach out

Reassure your Greyhound it is okay to call or talk about their feelings of loneliness. Remind them that they are not a burden. When they do call, listen to them and talk it through.

Talk with a counselor

Our folks in the Offi ce of Counseling and Career Services can be a valuable resource. If the lonely feelings continue or you notice that your Greyhound's coursework is being affected, encourage them to visit with one of our counselors.