BY WANDA CURTIS
College days are exciting, a time for new experiences and new relationships. However, adjusting to the many changes associated with attending college can be stressful and may require support from friends, family, and others.
A 2023 Gallup poll of 6,000 college students revealed one-third of the college students surveyed had considered dropping out of college because of emotional stress and mental health struggles. Many students considered dropping out of college because they felt like they didn’t belong, and others considered disenrolling because of college costs.
Lead Counselor at Husson University Wellness Center Nichole Proulx LMFT said new college students sometimes struggle with the transition to a more independent lifestyle. Things are less scheduled for them and they have more time to fill, said Proulx. They may have difficulty getting into a consistent routine that helps them accomplish everything they need to get done and maintain their own wellness, she said. They might not get enough sleep or eat healthy meals or nurture their relationships.
“Other stressors can include feeling homesick, being overwhelmed by academic rigors, creating new friendships and making meaningful connections, navigating unfamiliar systems, including managing their own health issues without the daily support of family,” Proulx said.
Husson and other college officials encourage students to engage in as many on- campus activities as possible, which can help them make new connections and feel more at home. Isolation can make their adjustment to their new environment much more difficult. Husson officials also recommend reaching out for support, whether from family and friends or from campus resources or counseling services.
“Students should reach out for help if they don’t feel like things are improving or if they feel their mental health is impacted,” Proulx said. “Discomfort is normal, it is part of the adjustment process. Difficulty or inability to function with daily tasks or responsibilities is a significant sign that something is wrong and they should seek out the services at the counseling center. Students should always seek help if they have any thoughts of self harm.”
Husson students can contact Proulx at [email protected] or call (207) 941-7990. They can also contact the Wellness Center’s confidential general email at [email protected] or call (207) 941-7625.
Angela Fileccia LCSW, director of the University of Maine Counseling Center in Orono, said they stress normalcy with students. They explain it’s normal to feel homesick, normal to feel stressed by academic and financial pressures, and normal to feel nervous about forming new relationships. They also let students know that it’s okay to seek support and they shouldn’t be ashamed about doing that, if needed.
“There’s never a wrong reason to reach out,” Fileccia said.
Their counseling center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The contact number is (207) 581-1392. There’s a therapist on call 24/7 during the academic year. Students can call the UMaine Police Department at (207) 581-4040. They can support the student and contact the on-call therapist, Fileccia said. Students can also call the Maine Crisis Hotline at 1-888-568-1112.
UMaine also advises students to get involved in on-campus activities. They have more than 200 on-campus clubs geared to students’ interests.
“There’s something for everyone,” Fileccia said. “We even have a bee-keeping and a lumber jack club.”
