Hello again, Pitt-Greensburg Families!  As you look forward to having your student home for the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a little information about what stresses college students tend to experience in November.

 

For all students, this point in the term is when the pressure of their academic workload is at it’s heaviest, and unlike spring semester, they haven’t had a break before now.  Freshmen have received their midterm grade reports (as have students on academic probation), and may be disappointed with their performance compared to high school.  Tests before finals and term papers are all coming due.  Those prone to procrastination will really need to attend to time management.  Students may feel the work is harder and may start to question their abilities.  Some students may begin second-guessing themselves and consider transferring to another school or changing majors as a solution to academic or social problems.  Another stressor for freshmen as Thanksgiving break approaches is worry that friends from home may have changed.  Freshmen in particular, but all students living on campus, may also wonder about how relating to parents may feel different after almost an entire semester of independence.

 

As usual, the best advice in general is to listen to your student.  Ask how he or she is doing and offer support before criticism.  Try to remember that freshmen midterm grade reports are sent for a reason: there is time to improve before real grades are entered.  Remind your student of the many services available on campus.  If your student hasn’t been home often since school started, you may find it helpful to have a discussion about plans for the break and rules for being at home when your student first arrives.  While you are entitled to expect certain things in your home, try to remember your child has been making her or his own plans and setting his or her own “curfew” for a few months now, and it can be hard to transition back.

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Gayle F. Pamerleau, LCSW

Director of Counseling

724-836-9870

gaylep@pitt.edu

Fund-raiser supports study-abroad scholarships for all Pitt-Greensburg students

 

The annual La Cultura benefit dinner for student study-abroad scholarships will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Pitt-Greensburg. The theme of the dinner this year is Egypt. The Chambers Hall gymnasium will be transformed into an Egyptian oasis, complete with strolling Middle Eastern dancers. Chef Richard McMahon from Chartwells Educational Dining Service is planning a menu of authentic Egyptian/Middle Eastern fare. Jennifer Miele, the Westmoreland County reporter for WTAE-TV, is schedule to be the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.  

 

The cost of the dinner is $115 per person or $920 for a table of eight for reservations made by November 30. After that, the cost is $130 per person and $1,040 for a table of eight. For more information about the dinner or to place your reservations, please call Karen Gavula at 724-836-7497 or e-mail upgkg@pitt.edu. Thanks for supporting the Pitt-Greensburg Study Abroad Program and the Guy Rossetti International Study Fund.

 

In addition to the benefit dinner, Pitt-Greensburg presents the La Cultura Lecture Series each year.  This year's theme is Egypt: Crossroads of Civilization.  The lectures are free and open to the public.  All parents are welcome to attend.  Please see the poster below for details.