<p>I'm hoping that this is just normal freshman stress due to final exams and papers...</p>
<p>D was home for Thanksgiving and seemed happy, but not as much as she had been earlier in the semester. She assured me that everything was fine, she was just glad to be home for a few days. I took her back to school yesterday and last night got a semi-tearful phone call saying she wishes she was home. I let her vent and tried to ask a few questions but didn't get any satisfactory answers. Finals start in less than 2 weeks and I'm guessing that the reality of that is setting in. She's struggling in one class, and that is a new experience for her.</p>
<p>Has anyone else out there been through this? Does this sound like a normal pre-finals meltdown?</p>
<p>I'm a freshman who is in the same situation right now--classes are getting into crunch time, with intimidating papers and projects and tests, and coming back from home there's an especially poignant sense of "hey, I don't live there anymore". This is when college stops feeling like summer camp.
I wouldn't be overly worried, unless this becomes a repeat occurrence. There's nothing to do but acknowledge, support, and listen. Also, a care package might not be a bad idea :-)</p>
<p>It sounds normal to me. Every time I went home freshman year I was reluctant to go back to college, even though I loved my school, had lots of great friends, and everything else. Add in returning to school with the stress of finals, and it's not surprising if she's a little tearful, especially if she tends to be more on the emotional side of things.</p>
<p>Bluesmom...i also got a call this morning from D saying she just feels "so anxious" but does not know why. I think having been home for almost a week and now getting back to the reality of the end of the first semester is a bit anxiety provoking!</p>
<p>This anxiety is quite normal for many freshmen students. After they do well on those first final papers/project/exams, subsequent stress levels usually are quite lower.</p>
<p>Encourage your students to work hard and budget their time well in the few weeks ahead and emphisize that their best effort is the only important thing as far as you are concerned.</p>
<p>Sounds normal to me....the stress of finals is huge and also the realization that it comes up so fast! The semester at college is way faster than the year long H.S. classes the kids are used to. </p>
<p>The Thanksgiving break hits right before finals and that down time is much missed once they go back to school and realize there is little time to study for so many finals. Sort of puts a damper on the holiday.</p>
<p>we have to remind our kids that a C or even a D in college is NOT the end of the world....people mess up, but can recover....as well, we have some kids who never really weren't excellent at something, and aren't used to the struggling a bit....got to let them struggle...send cookies, fresh shampoos, etc. but this is their life now</p>
<p>Sounds quite normal. It's nice that she's willing to confide in you that she's struggling (and thus has that source of support to turn to) - many students aren't, because they fear the reactions of their parents.</p>
<p>If I can make a suggestion for a stress relieving care package, lavender bath products, chamomile tea and a yoga CD if she's into that sort of thing. Ohh and cookies :-)</p>
<p>I just ordered my D one of those massage things that attach to your chair, not expensive, and maybe she can make some money, charging people to borrow it!!!</p>
<p>very normal occurance. i live on campus so i go home most weekends and even i am sometimes reluctant to go bk to college and believe me i loveee my college. its just very normal. this time of year is very emotional for people...holidays approaching but before that there are final exams. i think she will be fine</p>