December - January Student Stressors
In addition to challenges regarding world events students often experience the following stressors throughout the months of December & January.
You can connect students to the Thrive Center to help them navigate these challenges or utilize SOS and the SOS Helpful Resources to help them find appropriate resources.
December
Extracurricular time strain: seasonal parties, concerts, social service projects, and religious activities may deplete student energy.
Anxiety, fear, and guilt increase as final examinations approach.
Fear of discussing final semester grades, changes in major or other expectations with family/supporters.
Pre-holiday depression, especially for those who have concerns for family, those who have no home to visit, and those who prefer not to go home because of family conflicts.
Financial strain because of holiday gifts, basic needs, and travel.
Students struggling with housing or food insecurity may be displaced over the extended winter break.
Pressure increases to perform socially because of the approaching vacation and extended separation time.
January
Post–holiday depression due to again being away from the security of home.
Significant time spent socializing because of perception that academics don’t really begin until the second or third week of classes.
Self–image issues as people hit the gym as a new years resolution
Anxiety about course work if they didn’t do as well as expected in the fall semester
Students who became Academically Ineligible at the end of the fall semester must appeal to remain, and quickly determine if they can remain at Arizona.