Happy FDOC!
In this Issue: thoughts on how each class might be experiencing the start of the semester
Happy FDOC (First Day of Classes). President Wente shared her good wishes to the students in this Instagram video.
It is a new semester, which means a whole new series of adjustments for our Deacs: new class schedule, new professors, and new personal/social schedule for things like ‘who do I eat lunch/dinner with and at what time?’ etc.
Accordingly, our students might be experiencing a variety of emotions and experiences, and these might differ year by year, so let’s break those down:
For our P’26s
This is your Deac’s last semester of college [presumably]. That might hit them hard on FDOC. They might feel a sense of dread that their dear friends only have a few more months together until everyone disperses all across the country/world for Life After Graduation, or they might be super excited to see the finish line of college in their sights and eager to start a job or graduate or professional school.
’26s may have a final semester bucket list, where they want to try and do all the things they hadn’t done yet at Wake. They may feel increased pressure to find a job or submit grad school applications. They may worry that they are going to disappoint you if they don’t have a job before graduation (reassure them it will be OK!)
We have an Out of the Forest website for the Class of 2026 to help get them ready for life after Wake. And for P’26s interested in Commencement details, you can see the website here. I anticipate the Commencement team will continue adding information to the website throughout the spring. Students on track to graduate will get an email likely early to mid-March to let them know how to order Commencement tickets. We appreciate your patience until then.
For our P’27s
Many of our ’27s are returning from abroad. Coming back to Wake after a semester away can feel really disorienting, like a culture shock in reverse: the campus looks the same, but everything feels different? Or maybe I am different?
My experience (and that of most other students I’ve talked to about this) is that when you go abroad, it widens your worldview and you come back feeling like you’ve changed. That may manifest as feeling like some things that were previously really important to you as a first year student or sophomore suddenly don’t feel as important anymore.
Deacs returning from abroad may miss some of their favorite places/sights/foods from the city/country they just left. They may miss having access to museums or historical sights or the ease of going from country to country quickly (at least for those in Europe), specialty foods of the area, etc.
For the ’27s that did not go abroad, they may be excited to see friends and classmates they’d missed during the fall…or maybe a little chagrined that they were not abroad, or feeling anxious about friend groups shifting, particularly if they bonded with other ’27s who were on campus in the fall.
Whether your ’27 went abroad or not, they may feel stressed about finding an internship or a job for the summer – especially if they are hearing from friends who already have one lined up.
For our P’28s
Our ’28s’ minds might be on upcoming big decisions to be made. Major/minor (i.e., Program of Study) declaration is February 2.
Some ’28s may be clear on their major (or minor), but others may still be waffling between majoring in X or Y and are going to try to use their spring semester classes to try and kick the tires to see which major they might like better. Still others may not have a clear idea of what they wanted to major in (my roommate at Wake waited until the literal last minute to declare). There are students who hoped to get into the Business School and did not – and I am here to tell you that students of every major get good jobs that make good money, so not to worry.
For ’28s hoping to go abroad next year, they might be focused on getting applications submitted, or trying to decide which program they most want. Others may be trying to form a more solid plan for the next two years re: their major, possibly summer internships, and ultimately finding a career path or grad school. That can feel overwhelming. Remind them to be gentle with themselves.
For our P’29s
Your Deacs have returned for their second semester, but things may not feel the same as when they left in December. There are some big changes:
Academic: students will have new classes, a new set of professors, and will have to learn their expectations, testing style, etc. It can feel like starting all over again, which can be stressful. And if students are trying to get off wait lists or make changes to their classes, that can add a layer of stress.
Social: Some students will go through/just finished fraternity or sorority recruitment, respectively. This process can stir up a looooot of emotions (excitement, anxiety, exhilaration, disappointment, etc.). Some people get exactly what they want in terms of chapter membership; others do not. And that hurt/disappointment can feel very personal. I would encourage any students who need support (or their concerned families) to reach out to 336.758.CARE or we.wfu.edu to let our care coordinators know they are having a tough time, so we can offer caring outreach and avenues of support.
Many of our ’29s will make new friends – whether from new Greek affiliation, new classes, new student organizations. First semester friend groups can and will fluctuate, and it’s not uncommon for students to worry that they will ‘lose friends’ as group membership shifts.
Friends’ availability also can play out based on new class schedules: our ’29s may find that the people they used to eat lunch or dinner with on certain days now have classes at that time or have other commitments, which can feel unsettling. There is also potential for adjustments in their living spaces as roommates adjust to new schedules.
Emotional: I always told my first-year advisees that January can sometimes feel like quicksand – it can feel unstable, like things are shifting all around you. While that doesn’t feel good in the moment, things will get more stable in the first few weeks of the semester, so hang in there.
For all families
No matter your student’s year, be understanding if your Deac feels a little unsettled. Classes begin today, and as they get into the swing of their classes and extracurriculars, students will find their groove. And if not, urge your Deac to seek support from the many offices here to help them.