What to Expect the First Semester​​​​​​​​​​​​


Emotions your student may experience:

  • Enthusiasm

  • Apprehension (due to new surroundings)

  • Fear (fear of the unfamiliar)

  • Loneliness (especially if they know no one when coming to UF)

  • Homesick

  • Nervousness

 

What you can do to help:

  • Encourage your son or daughter to attend class regularly

  • Encourage your student to establish good study habits now

  • Avoid asking if your student is homesick. Most times this homesickness passes.

  • Listen to your student

  • While it would be nice to see them again so soon, encourage your student to stay on campus and not go home for the first four weeks.  This is when many friendships are formed.

  • Refer your student to the many support services available if needed.

 

Important dates this month:

  • August 16 – Residence halls open for students attending

  • August 16-19 – New Student Orientation (The Oiler Experience)

  • ​August 20 – Classes begin at 7 a.m.

  • ​​August 27 - Last day to add a class or section

September​

Emotions your student may experience:

  • Enthusiasm

  • Apprehension

  • Overwhelmed

  • Anxiety

  • Homesickness

  • Comfort (getting used to new surroundings)

 

What you can do to help:

  • Listen to your student

  • If your student is ill, encourage him/her to visit the Health Center​

  • Ask your student how things are going

  • Encourage your student to make an appointment with the course instructor if he/she is having difficulty in a course

  • Send a care package or card (e-card will do) to let your student know you are thinking about them

  • Show interest in the student’s school and ask open ended questions

  • If your student is having roommate problems, encourage him/her to speak with his/her resident assistant (RA)

  • Encourage your student to utilize the Oiler Success Center to discuss adjustment issues

  • Encourage your student to attend Major Fest

 

Important September dates:

  • September 3 - Labor Day, no classes

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October

Emotions your student may experience:

  • Overwhelmed (trying to balance demands of school and extracurricular activities)

  • Disappointment (grades may not be as high as those of high school)

  • Nervousness (mid-terms)

  • Anxious

  • Comfort (adjusting to “home away from home”)

 

What you can do to help:

  • If your student is struggling with a class or classes, make sure you encourage them to utilize the tutoring center

  • Offer advice if asked but do not tell them what to do; give suggestions about how to handle the problem

  • Encourage your student t o make an appointment with the course instructor if he/she is having difficulty in a course

  • Send a care package or card (e-card will do) to let your student know you are thinking about them

 

Important October dates:

  • October 8-9 – Mid-fall Recess – no classes

  • October 12-13 - Homecoming

  • ​October 16 – Midterms are posted

  • ​October 31 - Last day to withdraw from classes


Emotions your student may experience:

  • Anxious (semester is almost over)

  • Overwhelmed (major projects or exams often due before or right after Thanksgiving break)

  • Nervousness (having to choose classes for next term)

  • Stressed (trying to balance workload and social life)

  • Excitement (getting to go home)

 

What you can do to help:

  • If your student is struggling with a class or classes, make sure you encourage them to utilize the tutoring center

  • Encourage your student to make and appointment with his/her advisor to discuss courses for the next semester and to get registered

  • Listen to your student

  • With the added stress your student may be experiencing, encourage him/her to be involved in positive, healthy behaviors such as exercising and eating properly

 

Important November dates:

  • November 21-25 – Thanksgiving break – no classes



Emotions your student may experience:

  • Scared (not sure what to expect of final exams)

  • Sadness (leaving new campus friends)

  • Frustration (with their performance for the semester)

  • Excitement (end of 1st semester of college)

 

What you can do to help:

  • Encourage your student to take care of him/herself during this very stressful time, making sure to eat well and to get enough sleep

  • If your student has any questions regarding grades, he/she should meet with the professor of the class in question

  • Remind the student to review the information regarding the time and location of each final examination

 

Important December dates:

  • December 7 – Classes end

  • December 10-13 – Final Exams

  • December 19 – Final grades posted​

  • ​December 19 - January 6 - Winter Break 

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