Transitioning Home for the Holidays
11.08.2016

Just when it seems like you are finally getting the hang of adjusting to college—studying, taking exams, discovering your niche socially, finding life balance, and budgeting your time—the holidays come along and it’s time to go back home to spend time with your family. Being back home after living independently at college can present challenges and stress, sometimes tension and conflict. It helps to anticipate what might pop up for you when you are home for the holidays, so that you can approach your break time at home proactively.

· Recognize that your family needs some time to adjust to the “new you.” They are remembering the “before college” you and need to get used to the adult you who makes decisions independently.

· At the beginning of your visit at home sit down and talk to your parents about your mutual expectations for the holiday time. Negotiate with them around what is most important for each of you—a concert you have been planning with friends, the holiday dinner your parents really want you to be present for, etc.

· Try to be patient with yourself and your family. You are all adjusting to this new life phase you are in, and for everyone it is a process that takes time.

· Enjoy your holidays!

For more on this topic, see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/24/AR2010112402567.html

Welcome to our new students, and to those returning, welcome back and happy new academic year!
08.24.2016

As we reflect on what we’re doing well and how we’d like to improve and grow, many of us use the new year as an opportunity to set goals and resolutions for where we’d like to be by year’s end. For some of us, it may be fitness or financial goals, improving our GPA or finding that stellar internship.

Regardless of your goal, we’d like to help you achieve it. Often, the more we want to achieve a goal, the higher we set the bar and sometimes goals can seem daunting. Proper goal selection is critical!

To help you select goals that push you just the right amount, try making your goal a SMART goal.

Specific – It’s easier to stay on track when the goal is clearly defined. To help make your goal specific, try asking Who, What, Where, When, Which and Why.

Measurable —Part of setting a goal is knowing when you’ve met it! Make your goal concrete so you know how far you are from it and what still needs to be done. Being able to see progress helps us stay motivated.

Actionable —What needs to happen in order for this goal to be met, and what are steps you can take to overcome barriers that might stand in your way?

Realistic —Goals that balance a challenge with good odds for success are ideal. Are you both willing and able to do the work necessary? Have you accomplished anything similar in the past? Sometimes splitting a large goal into multiple smaller goals helps make this happen.

Timely —Having a deadline helps keep us accountable. With no time-frame, there is no urgency to meet our goals.