Starting college can be a challenging time in your life.  Adjusting to new living arrangements, making new friends, and a new sense of freedom may sound wonderful in some ways, but depending on circumstances, can be crippling.  

 

The purpose of our library is to address transition concerns head on and help identify when you need help, where to go for help, or how to help a friend in need. 

 

I am sure there are a million questions and concerns running through your head.  Mainly, how am I going to handle all of these issues while trying to have a good time and keeping myself happy and healthy?

 

Anxiety, nervousness, self-doubt, and frustrations with lack of privacy, are all very normal reactions during this time.  It is when these issues over take your life – for example, if you continually spend more time worrying about an upcoming test vs. using that time to study and prepare -- it may be time to talk to someone.  If you were sick, you would care for yourself. However, if the symptoms persisted, you would see your doctor for more attention. Your mental health is exactly the same; if you don’t address it, it will often worsen. 

 

[There are numerous changes all happening at the same time.  Fears of: will I make new friends? will anyone like me? will I get a “good” roommate? will we get along?  For the athletes; how will I compare to my teammates?  Will they like me?  What if I become injured? For music majors – what if I lose my voice? What if I don’t make 1st or 2nd chair?]

 

The bottom line is, nobody starts college completely comfortable with their academic, social and physical abilities.