Personal Issues for First Year
College Students
Dr. Lowell G. Roddy
Student Counseling Services
Austin Peay State University
1
Underlying Principles:
1. Change ALWAYS produces
stress, even when the change
is anticipated.
2. Life is complex, so no two
transitions are the same.
2
“Homesickness” is
VERY common.
Sometimes parents make
it worse by refusing to “cut the apron
strings.” The student then feels guilty
for wanting his/her own “space.”
There is also loneliness and anxiety
about the loss of familiar surroundings.
3
Transition Issues for Parents and
Students
• Separation
• Letting Go
• New Relationship
4
Events Affecting Transition
•
•
•
•
•
Birth order position of student
Siblings who have moved
Siblings who have attended college
Student’s previous absence from home
General relationship between parent and
student
• Student’s self-image
5
Four Ways to Leave Home
•
•
•
•
Never left (emotionally or physically)
Run Away
Kicked out
Launched
6
Handling Independence
Responsibly
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Smoking
Drinking
Drugs
Sex (perhaps same sex)
Nutrition and Fitness
Honoring Commitments
Managing Time and Money
7
Money Management
•
•
•
•
•
•
Developing a budget
Managing credit
Deciding between wants & needs
Learning to shop for bargains
Perhaps finding and keeping a job
Curbing the appetite to spend
8
Living with a Roommate
•
•
•
•
Loss of privacy
Need to negotiate personal space
Negotiate individual rights
Learn to share
9
Other Issues
• Anxiety about making new friends
• Success-orientation / Fear of failure
• Perhaps first time in multicultural
environment
10