Common Student Issues By Month

Common Student Issues By Month

Throughout the year, different problems may arise for students.  While not all students will experience these issues and these problems will not always occur in the month indicated, experience and research suggest these issues often occur in the month identified.  While this is not a comprehensive list, these are common issues that students experience.  We hope this guide will help parents identify a student's problem if they suspect something is wrong.  This is also meant to be a guide to help parents ask their student questions about college.  If you are concerned about your student, don't hesitate to contact the Office of Student Success and Retention.

September

  • Homesickness
  • Roommate conflicts
  • Initial adjustment to academic environment
  • Values exploration
  • New social life adjustment
  • Long distance relationships
  • Financial adjustment

October

  • Academic stress from midterms
  • Roommate problems may continue
  • Continued values exploration
  • Dating/non-dating/friendship anxieties can be high
  • Continued homesickness
  • Time management and study habits
  • Students may decide to withdraw from school

November

  • Academic pressure from procrastination and upcoming finals
  • Depression and anxiety from lack of adjustment
  • Increased alcohol consumption could result from mounting academic pressure
  • High stress can cause roommate problems to arise again

December

  • Final exams pressures bring stress and anxiety
  • Time strains with seasonal parties, end of semester projects, and studying for finals
  • Financial worries with the thought of holiday gifts and travel costs
  • Friendship tensions can become high with the stress of final exams

January

  • Anxiety about second semester performance, especially if first semester did not go as well as planned. Pressure to get good grades to stay in school or keep a scholarship
  • Some students become more aware and concerned with weight put on over first semester and from holiday foods
  • Reincorporating social and academic life can be difficult after an extended break from school

February

  • Seasonal depression can occur with the short and cold days
  • Stress can occur from mid-semester exams
  • Finding money for spring break can be a problem, especially if the student is traveling

March

  • Living arrangement anxieties occur when signing up for housing
  • Anxiety over finding a summer job
  • Lack of motivation can occur with spring approaching and the length of the semester

April

  • Academic pressure increase with the end of the semester
  • Nicer weather makes it easier to find alternatives to studying and homework
  • Continued summer job pressure
  • Finals pressures are at a critical level with papers, exams, and studying. Some students may turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with the stress
  • Anxiety for couples who will be separated for the summer

May/June

  • Missing friends after moving home
  • Readjustment to living at home after freedom at school could lead to conflict with parents

July/August

  • Students may continue to miss friends from school
  • Anxiety about the upcoming school year

*This is an abbreviated list derived from Appendix C of Iowa State University's peer mentoring handbook.  The complete, original PDF can be read by clicking here.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students