Freshman Struggle
Fall can be super hard for freshman college students who’ve never been far from home. It’s also a struggle if they’re 20 minutes from home but don’t have a roommate they really enjoy being with! The struggle is real.
I’ve gifted, visited, and hugged an exceptional number of students struggling this year. I know they each feel alone, stranded, and they’re beginning to feel desperate. The rush of decorating their room is over, the homework has set in, and Christmas break seems so far away.
As difficult as it seems, they need to talk to people. SO many students are feeling the exact same way. Talk to people on the elevator, open your dorm door, prop it open, and invite people over for an xbox competition, a tray of cookies, or hilarious game of New Phone, Who ‘Dis? They could start a study group, make dinner in the dorm kitchen (most have a fully-stocked kitchen with pots/pan/dishes you can sign up to use!), or go by the HPER to workout or join a class!
I know it’s hard, I really do. As much as you can, encourage them to seek one another. They’ll find a friend who understands and misses home and friends as well.
You could also do some funny things! Start writing them letters, postcards, or emails! Have you read the book, Flat Stanley? Years ago, my class read the book, and I made a “Flat Stanley”. The kids took him on trips, vacations, and brought back pictures of him on the adventures! You could blow up a picture of your student, laminate him/her, and take him on trips (grocery shopping is a total trip!), and send pictures to your sweet kiddo! You know they’ll laugh. You could also make one of you and send to your student to do the same!
Send them some gift cards to try new places, and they can write a review of each place (and get them out of their dorm!). You could send them a scavenger hunt (maybe I’ll work on one for campus!), give them dollars/points for a checklist including meeting a person from another country, trying a new dining hall, trying a different bus route, or finding a certain name on Senior Walk!
If all else fails, I’ll be glad to hug their neck or drop off a little something to brighten their day! : )
Hang in there. I know it’s just as hard on the parents to hear of their kid’s struggles. They’ll hit their groove, and you’ll be in the rear view before long. You might miss all this contact. Soak it up. Hugs!
love, mom
