1. The W-Curve

3. Honeymoon Phase Eagerness to embrace a new experience
Enthusiasm to make new friends
Happy to leave home and gain independence
Orientation and first year programs keep students busy
Some anxiety and homesickness mixed with excitement

4. Culture Shock
Expectations of what college “should” be are not being met
Adjustment feels difficult now rather than exciting
Navigating campus is confusing
Living with a roommate becomes irritating
High school academic strategies are not translating well to college schoolwork
Emotions related to homesickness grow to be overwhelming

5. Initial Adjustment Campus begins to feel more like home
Becoming acquainted with a new routine is comforting
Establish connections with new friends
Getting used to living with a roommate and using community bathrooms
Gaining confidence in new approaches to schoolwork
This phase happens quicker for extroverts

6. Mental Isolation
This phase typically begins after visiting home for the first time for an extended period of time
Home is not as familiar as it was while college still does not feel like home
Changes happened at home while you were gone
Homesick for an environment that seems to no longer exists
Doubts regarding college choice, major, etc

7. Mental Isolation continued
Friends from home seem to be enjoying college more than you are
Beliefs and values are challenged
You may realize your new “friend group” at college formed only because you were eager to make friends and establish connections
Larger roommate issues surface
Cliques/friend groups have formed and you feel as if you missed the ship when it comes to making friends

8. Acceptance and Integration
Connections to campus strengthen
Genuine friendships are form
Connections with professors and other faculty members develop
Realistic expectations of college are established
Roommate issues are resolved or managed
New values are formed/old values are solidified with your new perspectives as an independent adult
Independence feels liberating rather than overwhelming

9. Journal of College and University Student Housing, Volume 23, No
Journal of College and University Student Housing, Volume 23, No. 2, Culture Shock and The First‐Year Experience by William J. Zeller and Robert Mosier

10. Discussion Questions Is this model accurate?
Is anyone willing to share which phase you think you are in?
What helped you get through culture shock or mental isolation?
What resources on campus can help you through these various phases?

11. Discussion Questions
Is it OK to dislike your first semester of college?
Are there benefits to gain from having a hard time adjusting to college?
Do you feel pressure to report positive feelings about your time at college to your friends and family at home?