For most of us now, we’ve crested the middle of the fall term and have begun the slow decent towards Christmas.

Sure, we’ve not yet celebrated Halloween, or enjoyed the blessings of the Thanksgiving holiday, but for our students — the end is already on their mind.

And for those of us who have been working with college students for some time, we know that there is a noticeable turn in the attitudes of students towards school after their return from fall break.

The newness of a new year has worn off.

Reuniting with friends has been good — but the excitement it once brought has waned.

Involvement in new clubs, committees and/or communities are still enjoyable — but often fail to bring the same “boost” they originally gave.

Even the excitement and/or energy that can sometimes accompany a new roster of classes — by now, has faded.

All that most of our students see before them now is WORK.

And for many of them, it can all become overwhelming — very quickly.

In fact, a recent survey shared by Tim Elmore showed that 94% of college students used the word “overwhelming” to describe their college experience.

94%!!

And I would think that as we walk with them — between now and the Christmas holiday — we will see more and more of our students, in healthy and unhealthy ways, express their internal unraveling.

SO, my question to us is:

What can we do to best assist them in this season?

How can we help them to keep a proper perspective — on life? Academics? Relationships?

How can we encourage them to let the ‘Prince of Peace’ and ‘the Comforter’ to reorient them — in the ways they think and live — during this rigorous season of life?

I’d love to know what you think. Please take a moment to share your ideas in the comment section below.