Supporting your student


As your student adjusts to university, your role will change, but they still need you. It’s often a challenge to strike the right balance between being supportive and letting them figure things out for themselves. Here are some resources to help you support them.

Monthly Supporter Guide

Your student may experience any number of issues throughout the year. Below you'll find a month-by-month guide to help you support students and point them to the appropriate resources on campus.

View the Monthly Supporter Guide

 

What they may be experiencing

How you can help

September

  • Campus is vibrant and energized with activities 
  • Some culture shock and experiencing many "firsts"
  • Exposure to diverse backgrounds and cultures - questioning values and beliefs, discovering interests
  • Discovering newfound freedom, making new friends and testing limits
  • Information overload - plenty to process in a short period of time
  • Financial pressure as tuition, books, university events, and social events add up
  • Offer support, but don't "crowd" them with too many calls or texts - agree on a good time to call
  • Maintain open lines of communication and offer non-judgmental listening
  • Encourage them to explore the campus and community
  • Direct them to dal.ca/moneymatters for budgeting tips
  • Learn about funding sources available to your student and encourage them to apply
  • Encourage them to look for a part-time job using mycareer.dal.ca

October

  • Beginning to establish a new schedule 
  • Developing new time management habits
  • The "fun" of starting a new adventure begins to wear off 
  • Possible anxiety over first set of mid-term exams
  • Thanksgiving break - excitement and nervousness about returning home
  • Relationship issues, particularly with pre-university relationships
  • Potential roommate conflicts
  • Self-questioning - do I really belong here?
  • This is a great time to send a care package - they'll appreciate the "pick-me-up" in the middle of mid-terms
  • Be understanding if they encounter academic difficulties 
  • Encourage them to visit their professor and/or teaching assistant during their office hours
  • Don't try to solve their problems for them. Brainstorm options together, break large problems down into manageable issues, and refer students to resources on campus (see below) for more assistance - empower your student to take control
  • Encourage them to get involved in campus life

November

  • Starting to receive midterm marks & second round of mid-term exams
  • Realization that previous study skills/habits may no longer be as effective
  • Possible stress of multiple term paper and project due dates
  • Potential for bad habits to develop (procrastination and working all night)
  • Starting to plan for upcoming exams
  • Financial stress as money could be running low
  • Understand that they're busy and may not always have time to call, text, or email
  • Remind them that there are academic resources (see below) to help them with exam stress and procrastination 
  • Encourage them to seek out health & wellness resources to relieve stress
  • Help arrange plans for the holidays

December

  • Experiencing final exams for the first time
  • Shorter days - less outdoor exercise and sunlight
  • Possible anxiety about returning home for the holiday break
  • Possible loneliness for students unable to go home for the holidays
  • When they're at home over the holidays, give them plenty of breathing room. Respect that they're been very independent over the last few months
  • If they have friends who will be alone for the holidays, consider inviting them to spend some time with your family
  • Encourage them to reflect on their first academic term - did they meet their goals? 

January

  • Start of another new semester, with many of the same feelings as September
  • Renewed homesickness after being at home for the holiday break
  • Potential difficulty getting back into the "routine" after being home 
  • Receiving first-term grades
  • Changing courses, majors, or even programs
  • Encourage them to check in with their academic advisor
  • Be aware that asking them about grades may cause a great deal of stress - if stress continues suggest seeking out health & wellness resources
  • Alleviate homesickness - encourage your student to call home and connect with family and friends
  • Encourage your student to get involved in campus life

February

  • Encourage them to meet with an academic advisor to discuss their options and plan for next year
  • Encourage them to make the most of their study break by focusing on studying or increasing their involvement in the community
  • Encourage them to get some exercise and have a balanced diet 

March

  • Academic pressure is high
  • Mid-terms and preparations for final exams
  • Experience with "winter blues"
  • Making summer plans (courses, work, other)
  • Understand that they're very busy at this time of year - try not to make too many demands on their time
  • Remind them that their co-curricular record can help with putting their best foot forward to their job search
  • Encourage them to look for a summer job using mycareer.dal.ca

April

  • Final exams!
  • Concern around fitting in with family after a long period of independence
  • Thinking about their academic future
  • Possible financial stress and/or anxiety over summer jobs
  • Congratulate them on completing their first year at Dalhousie University!
  • Remind them that they have access to university resources (see below) over the summer


Additional Resources Available

The transition to university is a big step not only for students but also for the family members and friends who support them. Below, you will find resources to help you support your student during their time at Dal.