1. siue.edu
The First Semester In Review:
It Is Reality!

2. Take a moment to consider…
Final
Exams
Time
Management
Mid
Terms
Late
Nights
New
Faces
Home
Sickness
Care
Packages
It Is
Reality!
siue.edu

3. begins Thursday, August 15
siue.edu/experience

4. Week 1: August 18-24
Freshmen:
 Adjusting to the
“big” University
 All New Faces
 Getting Lost
 Class Schedules
 Textbooks
 On-campus Jobs
 Roommates
Parents:
 Being Proud
 Fear of Unknown
 Anxiety and
Sadness
 Not an End, a New
Beginning
Welcome Weeksiue.edu

5. Week 2: Aug 25–31
Freshmen:
 Student organizations
 Following the crowd
 Adjusting to lectures
 Places to hang out
 Study vs. Fun
 Waiting for mail
 Laundry
 Dining Services
 Homesickness
Parents:
 New Interests
 Quiet house
 Family car in garage
 Struggles with how
often to contact student
 What to send in a care
package
siue.edu

6. Week 3: September 1-7
Freshmen:
 First test preparation
 Remembering why I
am here
 A feeling of confidence
 Being sick for first time/
Health Service
Parents:
 Not as confident
as student
 Concerns about
student health
Labor Day Holiday - Sep
Schedule your advising
appointment for spring 2014
semester – September 3 and on
Academic Advising – (618) 650-3701

7. Week 4: September 8-14
Freshmen:
 1ST University exam
 Feeling overwhelmed
 Boyfriend/Girlfriend
 Roommate Conflicts
 Getting used to fire drills
 First visit home. Do my
parents still love me?
Parents:
 Nervousness to ask
about first exam
 Analyze first visit home
and start to recognize
student’s independence
siue.edu

8. Week 5 & 6: Sept 15–28
Freshmen:
 Academic Success or
Disappointment
 Unsympathetic
professors
 Settling into daily
routines
 Roommate conflict
resolution
Parents:
 Money requests
 Always at the library?
 Curious about student’s
study habits
 Would like to contact
student’s professors
 Adapting to student being
gone
Did they schedule their Academic Advising appointment for Spring 2014?
Appointments begin September 9, 2013.

9. Week 7 & 8: Sept. 29 – Oct. 12
Freshmen:
 Papers and group
projects are assigned
 Mid-terms
 True friendships being
developed
 Establishing own identity
 Skepticism about Family
Weekend
Parents:
 Discussion begins with
other college parents to
compare thoughts
 Academic concerns
 Planning a visit on Family
Weekend
Homecoming Weekend: 0ctober 4–6, 2013

10. Week 9: October 13–19
Freshmen:
 Mid-semester goals
 Second reality check
 Re-think major?
 Explore tutoring
services
Parents:
 Questioning whether
student is making
correct decisions
 Is my student making
moral or ethical
decisions?
 Phone calls / Chats
Family Weekend: October

11. Week 10-14: Oct 20 – Nov 22
Freshmen:
 Need time to myself
 No more summer
savings
 Busy with academics
 Starting to think
about where to live
next year
 Counting the days
Parents:
 Making Thanksgiving
plans
 I wonder if my child
needs me for anything
besides money
siue.edu

12. Thanksgiving Break
November 23 – December 1
Week 15
siue.edu

13. OH NO!
Two More
Weeks

14. Week 16: Dec 2 – 7
Freshmen:
 Everything is due
 All-nighters are pulled
 Library is packed
 Serious love
relationship
 Appearance and dress
attire are no concern
Parents:
 Dealing with stressed
out student
 Library?
 Expression of love and
concern
 Send a care package
siue.edu

15. Week 17: December 8-13
Freshmen:
 Stress/Excitement
 Holidays, no money
for gifts
 Packing to go home
Parents:
 Holiday Spirit
 Housekeeping
 Requesting days off
Final Exam
Week
siue.edu

16. Winter Break: Dec 15 – Jan 12
Freshmen:
 View grades online
 Missing college
friends
 Relaxation
 Adjusting to living at
home
Parents:
 I don’t believe it! You
want to change your
major?!?
 Student being home is
not like it used to be
 We just got used to
living this way
January 13/Spring 2014 Classes Begin

17. The Semester In Review:
It Is Reality
The Top 10 Reasons For
Freshman Success
siue.edu

18. Freshmen Success
1. Go to Class – Every day
2. Study – Do the work
3. Talk to professors early
4. Organize your time
5. Get involved
siue.edu

19. 6. Support system of friends
7. Seek help early and often
8. Stay focused
9. Ask questions
10. Enjoy the ride
Freshmen Success
siue.edu

20. And that is how to be
Successful!
Freshmen Success
siue.edu

21. We’re Here to Help!
Office of Admissions
(800) 447-SIUE or (618) 650-3705