Transitioning To College
Takeaway: Although going from high school to college can be daunting, there are ways to make the change easier. Establishing new support systems, prioritizing self-care, and finding a work-life balance that works for you, among others strategies, can help you succeed academically and in your daily functioning. Our therapists encourage you to be proactive in protecting your mental health in the form of finding campus resources or off-campus mental health care that will allow you to put your best foot forward when you start this new adventure.
Summer is almost over. You are about to drive to your new home: the college or university you will be attending for the next few years. Your car is packed so full you can barely see out of the back. You have your class schedule and room assignment. For the most part, you are excited for the new experience. However, another part of you has uncontrollable nerves about the start of this adventure.
According to data taken by Best College, roughly 15 million students in the United States were enrolled in some sort of Bachelor’s program in 2024. As we enter another start to the school year, new and returning students in college face a mix of emotions entering this new phase of their lives. One of the feelings that many college students will begin to experience leading up to the first day on campus is often a sense of nervousness. A Residential Director at Northwestern University and therapist intern, Aaron Klama, states, “the biggest struggle in the transition to college is keeping up with the increased workload as well as balancing life outside of school without preexisting support systems.” Jay Stedtfeld, a therapist intern at Feel Good Counseling Center, adds what he believes to be common stressors for those entering college: “academic struggles, especially at an increased workload and potential difficulty with time management; homesickness, difficulty making new friends, living independently without the safety net that parents/families provide, managing finances independently, and even potential substance use.”
Being in college – whether you stay at home or move closer to your school – can be an overwhelming time for many students. Dealing with these stressors might seem daunting to many. Students in colleges might not feel prepared with how to deal with stress and develop physical symptoms from what they are trying to manage on a daily basis. It’s important to remember that it is okay if you don’t have it all together. However, it is also crucial that we are taking care of ourselves and aware of physical signs that the stress has become too much.
Aaron Klama adds that the best thing a college student can do to reduce stress is “balance priorities and establish self care.” It is important to remember that the transition to college often reduces our access to support systems and routines that one had before. The loss of these aids can create anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that can impact academic and daily functioning. If you are feeling overwhelmed and aren’t sure if you should reach out to someone for help in this period of transition, the Cleveland Clinic lists several symptoms to be aware of:
Getting too much or too little sleep
Loss of appetite or overeating when emotional
Social isolation
Missing classes, practices, work, or social functions
If you recognize some of these symptoms in yourself either at the start of your college journey or well into it, it is helpful to think about what supports you might need or used to have that could help you get back on track.
“Transitioning from high school to college can be incredibly hard. Going from living at home where you have parental guidance at every turn to the new found freedoms that college provides is difficult to navigate.” -Jay Stedtfeld, MHP
For some, not only are stressors brought on by college itself, but feeling homesickness can also impact mood and functioning. Some college students might be away from home for the first time in their lives. Whether it be an hour ride or plane ride to the other side of the country, it is possible you are dealing with homesickness. Brianna Feyereisen, a therapist intern at Feel Good Counseling Center, talks about what this might look like in college students. “Homesickness can feel like being isolated or alone, depressed, or lost. It can also be a sense of missing one’s normal routine, or being unsure about the recent changes.”
So, how can college students better prepare themselves for the challenges that might occur in college? Jay and Aaron discuss several tactics to help manage stress in college such:
Time management skills
Prioritizing assignments
Practicing self-care
Establishing a health balance between school and life
Not only may these skills be useful, but some other helpful suggestions, according to The Cleveland Clinic, include prioritizing our nutrition, sleep and exercise, making time for our family and friends, getting involved with student organizations, talking with trusted adults, and knowing what resources you have available on and off campus. Brianna discusses several tools that students can use on campus, including the Student Resource Center and the Counseling Center. Aaron also encourages students to find groups or clubs that they are interested in that could bring them a newfound sense of community and belonging that might be lacking in a new place.
We encourage you to be aware of your physical and mental symptoms when dealing with stress and to utilize the necessary resources and tools you may need to help you during that time.
For any questions, you can Contact Us. To request an appointment, you can call, email, or click “Request An Appointment” to get started. Our administrative team typically responds within a few hours on weekdays. On weekends, we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
