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What do I do if I am feeling homesick?
Homesickness is very common among students away from home, especially in their first year at college. Feeling homesick is natural and does not mean you are not ready to be on your own. If you feel homesick, talk to your friends at school about it. They are probably feeling the same way. Speak with a counselor if your homesickness does not get better after a few months of school.
Definitely keep in touch with friends and family from home, but make sure you develop new friendships at schools. You will probably meet friends in the first few days of school, in your classes, at social events, in the cafeteria, in clubs or sports, and through other friends. Don't worry if it takes a while to find friends—it will happen. Your roommate(s) may become a good friend(s), or you may not click with her/them. You should talk to your roommate right after moving in about issues such as cleaning, bedtimes, and music, so that you avoid problems later on. Talk to a resident counselor if you cannot get along with your roommate(s).
What if I'm under a lot of stress?
Chances are you will probably feel stressed sometimes at college. Not only is college a lot of fun, it can also be a lot of work. You may be on your own for the first time in your life, dealing with things without your family and friends from home. If you are stressed, you may feel really tired, have a headache, have trouble sleeping, have trouble concentrating, and/or feel nervous, among many other symptoms. Some ways to deal with stress are to consume less caffeine, eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep. Take a break from something that makes you feel really stressed. Also, make sure that you do something for yourself everyday-something that you enjoy. The key is to balance classes and school with friends and having fun. Try to always have a positive view and don't forget to have a sense of humor!
What do I do if I'm feeling down?
There are days that you will feel down, when you let the demands of college get to you. These feelings are normal and will go away. At these times, you should take a break from the pressures of college and do something for yourself. Spend time with friends, exercise, read a good book, listen to music, call a friend at another college, talk to your parents, or talk to a trusted person at your college. Do anything that makes you feel good.
What if it's more serious than feeling down—like I'm depressed?
Sometimes, feeling down can get more serious and you can become depressed. Depression can be treated. If you have had thoughts of suicide or of harming others OR if you have had any of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or more, see a counselor at your Student Health Service right away:
Do not try to deal with depression on your own. See a counselor! And if you have any friends that you think may be depressed, suggest that he/she see a counselor as soon as possible.
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Updated 6/12/2001
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