January

Students experience high levels of stress at the end of the semester, and will be using winter break for “recovery.” They might appear to have low energy and spend a lot of time, especially at the beginning of break, sleeping. Towards the end of break, however, students may find they get bored and anxious to return to their RIT lives.

Winter break will fly by for some students but drag on for others. As their friends from home start back to their own colleges, they will have no one to visit and boredom will set in. Students will find themselves missing RIT and their friends and lives on campus. While many first-year students may feel like campus has become their “real home,” others may be questioning their choice of colleges. Encourage them to finish the academic year, even if they are thinking about transferring to another school. Usually by the end of February, students can see their accomplishments and realize they have adjusted to RIT.

Second-year students will be thinking more about co-ops, or might be preparing for their first co-op this summer or fall. If your student hasn’t mentioned anything about a co-op, use the break to discuss plans and encourage him/her to see a Career Services Coordinator.

Students in their final year who have not decided to attend graduate school will begin to feel the pressure of the job search.

Student experiences:

Boredom as winter break continues into January
Changes in relationships with high school friends
Disappointment or relief about first semester grades
Enthusiasm about new courses, professors, and spring activities
For students graduating in the spring, frustration over questions during the break from family and friends about post-graduation plans as well as personal concerns about post-college job and student loan payments

Timely Issues