How College Parents Can Help Beat the Second Semester Blues
Second semester is finally underway. Assignments are piling up. Tests are starting to fill your freshman’s weeks. And the second semester blues are starting to impact your college freshman.
Visiting may be your first instinct, but this solution may actually worsen some of these blue feelings. So what can you do?
Encourage your freshman with kind words.
Your freshman receives criticism from teachers, classmates, roommates, coworkers, supervisors, friends, and even himself. If your freshman struggles with anxiety, loneliness, or homesickness, these comments (even if they’re meant to be helpful) can easily discourage your weary freshman.
Small setbacks can cause your freshman to doubt himself, but hearing encouraging and kind words from you can help to boost his mood and energy. Even though you’re “just his mom” or “just his dad,” your words impact your freshman probably more than he’d like to admit.
Hearing “I appreciate how hard you’re working” or “I think you did the right thing” can make all the difference. Compliments that focus on character, not externals (e.g. looks), help your freshman keep working hard.
Encourage your freshman with care packages.
Care packages can be expensive. They can also be difficult to put together and send. Is the hassle of sending one worth it? Yes.
Your freshman may be finding he’s down to his last supply of an essential toiletry item or a favorite snack. If he does not own a vehicle or is extremely limited financially, this reality can cause additional stress to your already stressed-out freshman.
Give him an energy boost by sending him a care package to remind him that you care for him. Even a small package of goodies will remind him that you miss and care for him.
For ideas about what to send, read my post “Putting the Care in Care Package.”
Encourage your freshman with reality checks.
Your freshman hears lots of lies, half-truths, and general nonsense from other students and himself on a regular basis. While likely none of these individuals are intending to be dishonest, their lack of experience means their advice or interpretation of situations are flawed.
Your freshman needs to hear true facts about his progress and skills. He has accomplished so much in the last year, and at his age he may struggle to remember all the good that has happened in the past year.
Encourage your freshman by providing small little comments that remind him of his good and even great life accomplishments, his personal growth, and his academic achievements. These words may be the exact thing he needs to hear right now!
Encourage your freshman with good news.
When your freshman has had a series of rough days, he can soon see everything as dark and disappointing. In these times, your freshman needs to be reminded that life is still going on and going well in other places.
Sending a short text, making time for a phone call, or Facetiming to chat can help. Good news from home can encourage him and remind him that life is still good, even if it feels slightly rotten right now.
Good news has power. This good news may help him push through these blue feelings he is currently experiencing. This good news may help him adjust his focus and get going.
The second semester blues are very real for many freshmen. College has lost its luster, and certainly the gloomy weather at this time of the year doesn’t help. You can help by encouraging your freshman with these four easy actions.
