As the semester comes to a quick end, SMU students are preparing for the summer and the uncertainties that may perhaps accompany the nearing three-month break.
Yesterday, SMU’s Counseling and Testing Center offered a presentation titled, ‘What Are You Doing This Summer?’ The presentation, given by SMU practicum student Purvi Patel, tackled many issues including: going home for the first time after being away from home, making decisions about life after graduation, and just trying to make plans on how to enjoy your summer to the fullest. The presentation specifically focused on learning how to make every life transitions, whether large or trivial, a smooth and enjoyable process.
Patel believed the purpose of the presentation was to make any summer transition a smooth one. She hoped to largely direct her presentation toward first-year students going home for their first summer and graduating seniors going home for a summer before entering the workforce.
“There are numerous boundary changes between independence levels as students go home for the summer. They need to be aware that there will be transitions and changes involved.”
Patel began with the broad subject of transitions and changes throughout life. She discussed the anticipated and unanticipated transitions that all humans experience. She told a story of a young boy, Michael Beukenkamp, losing his sight and making the transition from a normal third grader to a handicapped child. The story concluded with Beukenkamp’s uplifting quote, “Transitions can be very hard, but at the same time self-gratifying.”
Patel went on to use Sugarman’s Seven-Stage Model of Transition to describe the process all humans go through when change occurs. The steps include: immobilization, reaction, self-doubt, letting go, testing phase, search for meaning and integration. She used this model to illustrate the ways in which humans deal with change in their lives.
Patel then emphasized four important components to make the transition of going back home for the summer a smooth one. She encouraged compromise; having an adult relationship and mature discussions between parents and students about rules and independence. She urged students to appreciate their parents concern, asking the audience, “Wouldn’t you be worried about your parents if they didn’t arrive home until 4 in the morning?” She recommended having respect for parents wishes.
Finally, she was adamant about balancing the time between family and friends. She urged that spending quality time with parents would increase the ease of the transition process.
Graduating senior Laurel O’Connor, who will be living with her parents for the summer, valued the presentation’s advice.
“A lot of people experience uncertainty when going home for the summer. This presentation helped me to step back and look at all the many options available. It also gave good insight on how to transition back into living with your parents.”
Patel ended her presentation with the advice, “Life is too short to not try to have fun at everything you do.” She continued to explain that all people will be forced to go through many transitions, but that it is vital to make the most out of every transition we experience.
