Student Life Cycle

Here is a monthly breakdown of what your student may experience during an academic year at Gardner-Webb University.

Adjustment and transition for new and returning students: presents in the form of homesickness, experience of new freedoms, having a roommate, and feeling overwhelmed.
Academically adjusting to new schedule, new professors, and time management.
Fall sports begin immediately for student-athletes.

Academically, drop/add is over, therefore, student’s schedule is permanent. Plus, students are beginning to have tests and see their first round of test grades.
Academic Advising collects first academic reports known as “Early Warning.”
Socially, students could still be experiencing homesickness, roommate concerns, missing friends, and challenged to balance school work & personal life.

Midterm grades are posted in WebbConnect.
Academic Advising begins for the spring semester. This allows students to review degree evaluations, academic progress, and career goals. Plus, register for spring classes.
FAFSA opens on October 1.
Review GWU bill.
Seniors are reviewing their degree evaluation and applying for graduation.
Winter athletic sports begin to practice and compete.

Academically, last day to withdraw with a WP/WF.
Academically, students begin to realize end of the semester is near, therefore, could begin to panic regarding grades and impending finals.
For student-athletes, progress report is completed by professors.
Most students are looking forward to the Thanksgiving break.
For some seniors, they begin to realize they are about to graduate and do not have a clear career path.
More students tend to seek on-campus counseling services.

Academically, students are completing finals and preparing for the new semester.
Academically, final grades are posted. This is reason to celebrate for some students and creates anxiety for other students. Students could either be accepted or denied into certain academic programs.
Financially, some students are notified about losing financial aid because of academic performance.
Seniors complete exit counseling through the Registrar’s Office.
FELS Applications for financial aid open for nurses, physician assistants, and special areas of education majors.
Students returning home for the semester break may have to negotiate new boundaries with family and friends.

Students return to campus and could experience homesickness again.
Freshmen no longer have UNV 111 class, so are receiving less guidance and possibly less connection.
Spring sports practice and competition begins.

Students are into the run of the semester, therefore, could be fighting winter colds, lacking motivation for class work, or having relationship challenges.

Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to declare a major. When students declare a major, they are moved to an advisor within the academic department.
Students can begin to register for fall semester classes.
Student look forward to spring break. Several students will take advantage of spring break options offered through GWU such as: mission trips, Disney Leadership trip, and international trips.

Parent Plus Loan application opens for upcoming academic aid year.
All students are catching up on course work and trying to finish the semester academically strong.
Usually students have a few days off for Easter break.
End of the year banquets, meetings, and events begin.

Students complete finals.
Students pack up and head home for the summer. Students tend to experience mixed emotions as they leave.
Seniors complete exit counseling through the Registrar’s Office.
Several students may not graduate or may not progress in their desired academic program such as nursing.

Many students will participate in internships or seek employment to help meet academic requirements or gain additional income.
Students adjust to life back home.
Several student-athletes will arrive on-campus for summer session II.

Students need to accept financial aid awards.
Students need to check GWU email and follow up with the necessary communication.