What Students Are Nervous About

Going Home for the Holidays
It's likely that the buzz about the holidays has begun. Thanksgiving Break will be here soon and, shortly thereafter, winter holidays abound! Although there will be a lot packed into the next few weeks as students finish up assignments and take exams, it's important not to forget that preparing to go home for the holidays can be a stressful time for your student.

What You Can Do
First, consider some of the things your student might be most nervous about:

• Sharing a new or different aspect of who she is
  
• Seeing a parent or sibling they've fought with over the phone during the last few months
  
• Seeing old friends or an old partner
  
• Discussing a change of plans such as major choice, plans for upcoming breaks or wanting to go to a different school
  
• Coming clean about poor grades or getting in trouble at school
  
• Having to conform back to your rules and ways of doing things

Don't be afraid to draw on your experience as you talk with your student. Taking the time to talk with your student candidly and supportively during the next few weeks will help make the holiday break, whatever it may hold, more pleasant all the way around.