The University Life Cycle

Students can experience any number of issues throughout the year. A month-by-month list of possible stressors is shown below to help parents and guardians become aware of when issues may typically arise, and what resources are available to support students.

June – August

Potential Stressors

Anxiety about leaving home, friends and family.
Worried about the impact of changes in relationships.
Excited and unprepared for what is to come.
Wondering "Will I fit in? Will I like my roommates?"

Resources Available

Attend Get Started.
Take a Campus Tour to become familiar with the various services available.
Register for the First-Year Experience Program.
Register for the Scarborough Campus Students' Union (SCSU) Orientation Week and Student Housing & Residence Life Orientation Events (if living on campus).

September

Potential Stressors

Making friends and fitting in, becoming familiar with surroundings.
Adjusting to a different learning environment - new courses, increased workload and new methods of evaluation.
Adjusting to less structure than in high school, the self-discipline needed to study.
Questioning choice of university and/or academic program.
Feeling homesick, getting along with roommate(s).
Experiencing new found freedom and testing self-imposed boundaries.
If living at home, an expectation that life at home will change too.

Resources Available

Orientation Week events organized by the Student Housing & Residence Life and the SCSU.
Pick up a copy of Getting There - A Student Guide to the University of Toronto.
Pick up an agenda from the SCSU Office.
Register for the First Year Experience Program.
Visit the Centre for Teaching & Learning, the Academic Advising & Career Centre, the Writing Centre and the Library to learn about the academic resources available on campus.

October

Potential Stressors

Preparation for university exams begins (mid-October to mid-November).
Time management - unaware of the self discipline needed.
Surprise and disappointment at lower marks, not seeing the same results as in high school.
Difficulty making choices about maintaining relationships with family and friends while starting a new life and new friends, juggling home and school commitments.
Financial stress and discovering the need to budget.
Maintaining part-time employment off campus.

Resources Available

Meet with an Academic Advisor.
Attend a Learning Skills Seminar for time management and study skills sessions.

November

Potential Stressors

Increased academic stress due to an accumulation of work.
May become sick or physically drained.
May see increased alcohol consumption, increased loneliness.
May question intellectual abilities, thoughts of not returning to the university next semester.

Resources Available

Attend a Learning Skills Seminar.
Contact a Peer Counsellor.
Visit the Health & Wellness Centre to discuss stress management techniques.

December

Potential Stressors

Preparations for final exams, workload can feel overwhelming.
Student may bury themselves in their studies.
Worries begin about the next semester, course selection, etc.
Financial stress due to holiday spending, tuition fees due shortly.

Resources Available

Visit the Health & Wellness Centre to discuss stress management techniques.
Utilizing study areas on campus.

January

Potential Stressors

Excited to see people on campus and start new courses.
Students in residence may be home sick after returning home in December.
Thoughts about where to live next year, applying for positions on and off campus, searching for summer employment.
Inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, indicated by weight loss/gain and stress level.

Resources Available

Attend a Learning Skills Seminar.
Speak with an Academic Advisor about any questions or concerns about programs and courses.
Visit the Writing Centre & the Library to get help with writing and research skills.

February

Potential Stressors

Anxiety about studying/preparing for mid-terms.
The Winter Blues, mood is affected by bad weather, lack of energy and enthusiasm.
Worries about admission into desired academic program for 2 nd year.

Resources Available

Visit the Health & Wellness Centre to discuss stress management techniques.
Visit the Student Life Programs for ideas about how to get involved.

March

Potential Stressors

Concern about completing work for courses, pressure to do well on final exams.
Concern about housing and employment for next year if this has not been secured.
Questioning program, and ability/desire to return to university next year.

Resources Available

Working with a Peer Counselor to create a study schedule for final exams.
Refer to the final exam schedule to coordinate your exam schedule.
On campus events and activities can help students take a break and relax.
Meet with a Co-op Program Coordinator (Arts & Science, Management) to discuss placement and courses.

April

Potential Stressors

Concern about marks and academic results for the year.
Anxiety about the year ending, going home, finding summer employment.
Concern about gaining entrance into a different program.
Regrets about missed opportunities such as friendships, leadership or job opportunities.
Relief that exams are over and excitement about taking a break from academic life.

Resources Available

Students can refer to the new Course Calendar and registration information for the upcoming year.
Visit Student Life Programs for ideas about how to get involved.
Visit the Academic Advising & Career Centre to continue searching for summer job opportunities.

*content provided by the Office of Student Experience & Wellbeing.

Contact Admissions & Student Recruitment