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Stress at CollegeThe college years are a time of great challenges and excitement for students. However, it is also a time for many changes; therefore, students are likely to have to make many adjustments in their first year at SPC. Hopefully, students will adjust without difficulty and their experiences will be positive. However, some may encounter difficulties that interfere with their transition. The following are some of the more common transition issues that a new student may encounter: Emotional: New students may experience a variety of emotions as they are confronted with new and unknown situations. Successful adjustments can naturally resolve unpleasant emotions; however those emotions that are left lingering due to a complicated adjustment can contribute to low self-esteem, and may lead to a sense of hopelessness and giving up. Preparing for the transition, and learning to manage emotions can assist with emotional adjustment. Physical/Wellness: Maintaining physical well-being is important to overall success, however this becomes a challenge for the college student. Confronted with new freedoms, absence of home cooking (for on-campus students), more eating on the run, late night study snacking, alcohol use, jobs, more demanding courses resulting in less sleep can all deplete wellness. A depletion of wellness can have a negative effect on grades, work performance and relationships. Financial: Some students may have additional stress of having to maintain certain grades, work to offset costs, and/or learn to budget allotted monies. Anxieties around financial issues can impact school and job performance. Additionally, some work hours may be a barrier to opportunities to meet others and develop socially giving rise to feelings of loneliness or not belonging. Academic: SPC not only has high academic standards, which results in more challenging coursework for the student, but also places the responsibility for a student’s education with the student. Some students may struggle with identifying a major, understanding the relevance of coursework, study skills, balancing social life with school requirements. Some students are willing to expend the energies necessary to achieve their goals, while others are not as committed. Poor adjustment academically can result in an overall negative college experience, which may contribute to drop out or substance abuse. Social/Relationships: SPC provides students with the opportunity to meet a variety of people. Some students may have difficulty meeting new people or struggle with the diversity on campus. Those commuting may feel less of an opportunity to meet others, while those living on-campus may have difficulty adjusting to living with others. Struggles encountered on a social level can result in further social, emotional, academic and physical difficulties. Students who are struggling often show signs that they are struggling. Signs may be overt or can be less obvious. The following are some indicators that suggest a problem may exist. The presence of one indicator may not be indicative, but the more indicators there are the more likely a problem exists.
If you know a student who is experiencing difficulties in any of these areas you can contact the Center for Personal Development for assistance with helping them, or suggest they contact the Center (201) 761-6420. Virtual Pamphlet The Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection was originally developed by Dr. Robert Hsiung. SCRS clinicians reviewed the Collection in August 2003 and selected the information most salient to University of Chicago students for this website. An unabridged version of the Virtual Pamphlet Collection is still available on Dr. Hsiung's independent website. The virtual pamphlets are organized by topic below. Click any topic to see the pamphlets for that topic. A virtual pamphlet put out by another university may refer to services available only to students at that university. Saint Peter's College students should, of course, refer to the Center for Personal Development instead.
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