Ways to Support First-year Students through Spring Term

 May, the "home stretch" of the first year 

Since May is the final month of the academic year, students are preparing for their final exams and also thinking ahead to summer vacation. Your student’s concerns may include:

What will I do over the summer? Many Gordon students will pursue summer opportunities that are aligned with the passions that they’ve been developing throughout the school year—things like La Vida, working at a summer camp, or finding an internship. Some students may be planning to take May Term classes, while others have plans to visit friends over summer break.

Will I survive finals? The time for late-night, caffeine-fueled study sessions is back, and students are found all over campus at various hours of the night. Jenks, Lane, and dorm lounges become populated around the clock.

Saying goodbye is hard to do. The year has been one of rapidly forming relationships, and it’s often difficult for your student to imagine not living with these people for the next three months.

Off to the beach. Students take advantage of the warmer weather by visiting local beaches with friends before summer officially begins and everyone scatters.

Discuss summer plans. If your student has expressed interest in pursuing summer plans that involve his or her talents or passions, talk together about them. This is a pivotal time for your student to be independent and proactive about seeking out meaningful summer experiences. Be a continual support system as your son or daughter searches for opportunities to grow.

Encourage your student to take breaks. All the studying your student does is very important, but so is your gentle reminder that taking breaks is beneficial and conducive to good studying. Encourage your student to work out at the Bennett Center and to get off campus and enjoy the area while the weather is nice.

Congratulate him or her. Your student has almost completed the first year of college. That is worth celebrating! Remind your student of all the progress he or she has made this year, and name specific accomplishments —it's a special way to affirm your student and motivate him or her to keep working hard until the year ends.  

Please feel free to email the Center for Student Development, or contact us by phone at 978.867.4072.