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The journal of agricultural education and extension, 10/2019, Volume 25, Issue 5

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And you thought your first day of secondary school was scary. Starting in college is a whole new world: yes, you're independent, but you're also responsible for yourself. Food, bills, study and friends are all on you now. It's unfamiliar terrain and for some students, it can be daunting. So is college, as the old cliché goes, really "the best time of your life"?

Fear not: the road through college is a well-worn path and the trails are clearly marked. We asked three people for their advice.

Ben Doyle (19) is entering his second year of a four-year corporate law degree at NUI Galway. Catherine O'Connor is an education consultant who specialises in student recruitment at Trinity College Dublin, and the author of Cracking the College Code: a Practical Guide to Making the Most of the First-Year College Experience. Helen Vaughan is a psychotherapist and the owner of MaynoothCounselling.ie.

The first month Catherine O'Connor: My job is to recruit students, so I have to understand their needs. Some years back, I was looking into how students adjust to college both socially and academically, especially in the first year. So I met with more than 1,000 parents and students (mainly in focus groups) from a variety of backgrounds.

I found that people didn't really know how to navigate the college experience. How will they adjust to managing finances? Can they cook? If they're living at home, how will they get on with their parents or guardians? Will they make new friends in college, and how will they mind their mental health? Students worry that they won't make the most of the experience and this can make them anxious. I wrote the book to help answer some of these questions. Ben Doyle: I'd always wanted to do a commerce degree, but was also interested in the law. Corporate law was a good mix for me. I knew a few people going to NUI Galway, and it was reassuring to have them; the first day in a campus like this is exciting, but it's also daunting. You do feel thrown in the deep end - at first. That changes fast. Helen Vaughan: The biggest problem I see with my student clients: social anxiety. Not just among first years, though the first months in college can be really hard. In school, you're looked after, and you're furious about being constantly hounded to do your homework. In college, if you don't do the homework, nobody really cares and suddenly you'll miss that parent giving out to you. It can be hard to cope with independence when you finally have it, and hard to be responsible for your own work, food, finances, social life and friends.

Suddenly, you have to drive yourself; the chauffeur is gone. Some people are very good at it if they're particularly diligent and self-disciplined, but people can be thrown for all sorts of reasons, often unexpectedly. I see the ones who know they need help, but I suspect most don't think or know they need help, and they can find it hard to talk and explain how they feel.

Making friends BD: I wasn't scared, because almost as soon as you're in the college gate, there's a really well-thought orientation for new students. In the first week of college, you're really busy and there's plenty of events and activities in the first week where you meet new people. With your classmates, you find out more about your course. You get involved in societies. And everyone around you wants to meet new people and make new friends.

Clubs and societies make that easier because you're with people who share your interests. I joined loads of societies straight away - for the bags of sweets! I got involved with the debating and law societies.

Social media is great for talking to friends, planning activities and group assignments. But we're not wedded to it: most of my interaction is still person-to-person. I like hanging out with my friends for an hour or two, having a cup of tea, talking in person.

I don't think my age group drink as much as others. But if you are going to have a few drinks during the week, just make sure you can recover for the next day. Especially if you have a 9am lecture.

I didn't join any sports clubs in college, but I kept playing rugby with the under-20s in Tullamore. We won the league and the cup. It's not always the easy to find the time, but I'm glad I kept this big part of my life before college. C O'C: My research shows that 62 per cent of students worry about fitting in socially. You will meet people in tutorials and at lectures. You need to seek out the clubs and societies that interest you. Try new things and see what you like.

Some students worry about remaining loyal to old friends but you can keep the old ones and make new ones too. H V: I talk to people about how to manage their mental health. Recognise anxiety: heart beating faster, sweaty palms, feeling really tense - once they recognise it they know it is not a heart problem; it is anxiety, and it will pass. A panic attacks feeds on you fighting it. Tell yourself it is not pleasant, but it is not dangerous and it will pass. There are breathing exercises you can do if you feel pressured.

Most colleges have counselling services but they can be overprescribed. You don't have to be suicidal to call The Samaritans [see below: Support and help].

Academics H

V: Students can be stressed about lectures or walking into the room if they're late, so they don't go in the first few weeks and can find it harder to make friends.

Others stress about their course work and why they're not doing better, but it takes time to adjust to college. Let go of perfectionism - there comes a point when your work is good enough. I see students leaving it too late to start projects or get the book before it disappears from the library. They have to get used to setting their own deadlines without parents breathing down their neck. You can drink seven nights a week if you like, but you won't pass.

I found myself on the wrong course. I had to eventually admit that French wasn't for me, so I transferred to another course in another college and never looked back. People change their careers a few times in their life and it's fairly common to change course or do a new one - although, of course, this can be a financial challenge as you have to pay college fees. C O'C: If you set out to have discipline in your study from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday can follow the same pattern easy enough. Attend all lectures and tutorials. Take notes, keep them well, and back them up, remembering that technology doesn't always work. Read your notes and write down where your gaps are. Read beyond your own discipline, read everything. And remember: no matter how bright you are, you will meet brighter minds.

But no matter how motivated you are to study, you can feel lonely in the first semester and wonder if you're in the right course. I advise students to stick with it as long as they can and give it their best shot. Find out early on about the academic demands (read the handbook) and establish what you like about the course. Don't cut and run after three weeks; they can be tough anyway and it may be other factors making you question your course choice. If the student works hard to develop a strong work ethic and gets those three good days in, they can feel a lot better.

College doesn't share academic results with parents. Students also quickly learn that if they don't attend college it will affect their grades. B D: My biggest struggle in first year was the academic adjustment. For the Leaving Cert, core textbooks are your bibles and you have all the resources you need to hand. In college, you have to sift through a lot of information and perspectives, come to conclusions and back it up with research and references. I found my first assignment hard; we had to think creatively and be very open-minded. I didn't do great but, assignment by assignment, I'm learning how to research and write.

Finances

C O'C: Financial pressure can lead to dropping out. There needs to be a discussion early on about where the money for college comes from and who is paying. If the student takes a part-time job, how will that impact on their commitment to study or on their college experience? They need to budget: write out what the costs are and what the sources of finance are, including bank or credit unions loans, support from family and summer work. StudentFinance.ie is a good resource. B D: I'm lucky that I have support from my parents, and I work part-time to supplement that. I learned through experience how to budget and how much money I needed for groceries, food and books. Lots of nights out can damage your wallet. I'm learning how to cook: I do a mean beans on toast and chicken curry.

I share a student apartment in Corrib Village, the on-campus accommodation. We all clean up after ourselves and look after our own rooms, respect each other's space. H V: Finding accommodation is a big stress for students; it's in short supply. It can be hard to manage your own finances and learn to cook and clean for yourself, but it's a big kick in the arse to help you grow up.

Self-care is important:eat well, exercise, be among nature when you can, even if it's just a walk along the canal (if you're in Maynooth). Keep up the sport you did in school. Take a few moments now and again to check in with yourself and where you are in this moment, rather than where you were earlier or will be later. I give clients breathing and meditation exercises. And finally, I recommend a gratitude journal, where you write down three things every day - it could be a nice lunch, meeting someone you like, or even that it didn't rain. It helps the brain appreciate the nice things and worry less.

Support and help Samaritans: email jo@samaritans.org, text 087-2609090, or freephone 116123

Some student unions operate confidential and anonymous listening services. The biggest of these is NiteLine, run by and for students of several universities, colleges and institutes of technology (Freephone: 1800-793793), Student union welfare officers, college chaplains, counselling services and students advisers are all there, while most tutors and lecturers know how to help and support students who are going through a tough time.

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Tips for surviving your first year in college

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First year in third level can be a challenge but there are steps you can take to help ease the transition

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7 tips for those starting college or university this month

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Here are seven ways to back yourself if you want to thrive in third level education

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Careers Blog | Internship News | Inspiring Interns

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Embarking on your university career is a great adventure, a learning curve, and an important part of your life. However, it does come with some rough patches here and there. These are more apparent in first year as you transition from the comfort of Sixth Form or College with familiar faces and teachers who may have known you for years, to a whole new environment where you'll need to make new friends, meet academic expectations, and live independently.

If you're heading to university soon, be prepared to face these challenges head-on with our practical and effective tips, helping you to keep your mental health in check.

Homesickness

Many university students move away from home to study in a different city, or even a different country. Leaving your family, friends, the comfort of your home, and the city where you grew up can be difficult. Whether you'll soon be living two hours away or eight hours away, it's undoubtable that you will experience some sort of homesickness during your time at university, especially in first year.

Plan to visit home every so often, particularly for special events like a relative's birthday or a friend's party. Keep in touch with your loved ones over the phone or video call them instead. Also, many universities have peer support groups which you could join to talk about your problems.

Managing relationships

Moving away from your friends back home could mean that you talk to each other less, and see each other less. This is quite normal! As you try to form new social groups in your university setting, you may be missing out on quality time with friends back home. Make the effort to keep in touch with them, and arrange to meet up with them when you travel back home.

Developing friendships at university can be a daunting endeavour, but you'll fit in to different groups before you know it. Keep an open mind, go to different types of social events, speak up in class, and something that's very important: introduce yourself to your flatmates, and those in the flat next door or above!

Academic expectations

The jump from A-Levels or a College course to university can be quite a big one in terms of the quality of work you're expected to hand in. Your university's academic expectations may be higher than what you'd anticipated, meaning you'll have to work harder, concentrate more, and learn from the feedback you're given.

Don't stress about this! First year is a learning curve. Your first essay or project will be the first time you're writing in an academic style and tone, working with guidelines from your professor. Have a meeting with them to talk over your hand-in to ensure you're on the right track, do your best, then use the constructive feedback to make your next hand-in even better.

Developing good habits

First year will see you socialising a lot, with Freshers' events, club nights and parties keeping you up all night. Remember to stay safe especially if you're drinking. Keep hydrated, make sure your friends are also being safe, and understand what "affirmative consent" means. Moreover, hangovers can cause poor mental health and lack of concentration the following day. Couple this with lack of sleep and you're in for an unproductive day. It's great to socialise, but only go to the events that you'll enjoy, and won't regret the next day.

It's also important to develop good habits like time management and prioritising in terms of your lectures, deadlines and meetings. In terms of staying healthy, make sure you're cooking healthy meals that will give you all the nutrients you need to stay alert, productive, and happy.

Budgeting

Tuition fees are rising making it harder for prospective university students to manage their money effectively. Many students have loans to help them with tuition fees as well as maintenance fees, for those staying on campus.

If you're struggling to budget your money while at university, think about create a budgeting spreadsheet outlining your food, travel, and socialising costs alongside rent and bills. Also, consider a part-time job. On-campus jobs are a good way to earn some money on the side. Your shifts - at the student bar for example - will be in line with your lectures and extra-curricular activities, and as the job will be on site, you won't have to worry about travel costs.

Here are five things to do in your first year of uni!
Inspiring Interns is a recruitment agency specialising in all the internships and graduate jobs London has to offer.

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How to Overcome Challenges in Your First Year of Uni | Careers Blog

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Embarking on your university career is a great adventure, a learning curve, and an important part of your life. However, it does come with some rough patches here and there. Here is How to Overcome Challenges in Your First Year of Uni.

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Going to College: New Systems - New Challenges - Many thoughts will occupy your mind as you prepare for college. Will I make new friends? Will I fit in? Will I be academically able for my chosen course of study? You may also be worried about moving away from home. Rest assured that most of your concerns will pass without too much complication and you will welcome a fresh start. Things to note:

The CAO Application: Choosing what you are interested in is key to success in college. There is still plenty of time to work on this. List your courses in order of genuine interest and have lots of choice.

Changing communication channels: At school, the relationship was between you, your parents and the school. At college it's between you and the college and your parents will be depending on a healthy relationship with you to let them know how you are getting on. Each college and course will have its own unique way of communicating with you, likewise each lecturer will too. It is important to read your course handbook to find out key information including dates, deadlines, examinations and what supports and services are available to you.

Fitting in Socially: College life is more than an academic experience. The pressures of making new friends yet remaining loyal to old ones can bring on anxieties and fears. Fresher's week is an exciting and eventful week in which you will be introduced to college life, sports, clubs and societies. It's a great opportunity to meet new people and form lasting friendships.

Managing the learning process: This is something quite different from the demands of the second level system where reward is mainly given for memorisation and rote learning. To be successful at college you need to be proactive and take ownership and responsibility for your own learning.

Changing finances: College is an expensive business and funding is a very big issue for students and families as we see the costs rising every year. The discussion of what these bills are and how they can be met is an important one and should be fully explored before you start college.

Homesickness: Most students suffer a little homesickness. Those at home miss the daily predictable routines of the school years and those who live away also miss the daily exchanges at the kitchen table. Being involved in clubs and societies will help you overcome this.

Believe in your own ability: You have come this far, don't stop now. Things will seem very strange at first: new structures, new people, new system. You are not alone. Give it time.

Know yourself: Understand your strengths and weaknesses, know your friends, your confidants, know when you are comfortable in situations and when you feel threatened. Remember there is help at hand in every college for all situations whether you get into social, personal or academic difficulty. It's good to ask and it's good to talk.

Make things happen: Going to college is about becoming informed, taking control and responsibility. Be your own driver in all that you do.

If you want to hit the ground running, check out 'Cracking the College Code' which is written from the third level perspective with lots of practical tips for students in how to make a successful transition. Described by the President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors as the 'must have' essential guide for all students, parents and guardians -- the book that should be in every Leaving Cert student's bag". It is endorsed by third level institutions, Provost of TCD, Minister for Education and Skills, President of the institute of Guidance Counsellors, National Parents Council post primary, School Principals, teachers, parents and students.

Published by CJ Fallon, it is available at all good bookshops and at: www.crackingthecollegecode.ie

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The Challenges of Going to College Going to College: New Systems - New Challenges - Many thoughts will occupy your [...]

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The transition from college to work during the great recession  employment  financial  and identity challenges

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College students are struggling. Are schools doing enough to help?

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“One of my clients called me crying because she couldn’t even find the campus counseling center.”

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Our students are struggling. As a college president and a clinical psychologist, I know this well.

Recent headlines tell a distressing story about the mental health of college students. While the news articles are alarming, it is worth noting that much of the data they cite comes from self-reporting by students.

This self-reporting gives us important insights into how our students are feeling, but it is not equivalent to clinical diagnoses. By equating self-reporting with diagnoses, we risk applying the wrong interventions.

I've spent much of my career overseeing clinical services and other student supports, and I know the importance of clinical interventions. They are intended to be matched to specific diagnoses and can involve a variety of treatments, including individual or group and outpatient or inpatient, by licensed mental health professionals.

But I believe we must shift how we support students' emotional needs. Clinical interventions are not the only way - and often not the most appropriate or effective way - to support young people who may be temporarily struggling with feelings that do not meet the full psychological definition of mental illness.

Rather than needing a clinical intervention, many students may benefit most from support that builds their resilience if they are feeling sad, worried, overwhelmed or anxious. Resilient students are better positioned to cope with temporary periods of heightened emotional stress.

In the past, teaching these skills was usually not seen as central to the mission of a college or university, yet learning how to cope emotionally may be among our students' most vital and integral lessons.

It is something that will serve them throughout - and well beyond - their time on our campuses.
Related: Congress is starting to tackle student mental health
Data drawn from student self-reporting provides important insights into their needs. Some 44 percent of students reported that they experienced symptoms of depression during the 2021-22 academic year, a Healthy Minds survey of 96,000 U.S. college students shows; 37 percent said they experienced anxiety.

In addition, two out of five undergraduates said that they "frequently" experience emotional stress, results from a Gallup-Lumina Foundation report found, while 36 percent of students pursuing bachelor's degrees reported that they had considered "stopping out" in the last six months. The most commonly cited reasons were "emotional stress" (69 percent) and "personal mental health reasons" (59 percent).

Researchers have hypothesized that at least some of these self-reported crises may be due to an increased awareness and normalization of mental health conditions.

This awareness is something we should regard as positive and beneficial because it reduces the stigma and isolation that have long impeded students from getting support. But we also must recognize an unintentional, negative impact of this increased awareness: overinterpretation.

Young people experiencing negative emotions and facing normal developmental challenges may be particularly vulnerable to misidentifying those experiences as actual illnesses.

This is not to suggest that the mental health crisis is not real, or that we should not support our students or validate their experiences. Students are struggling every day on my campus and on campuses across the country. Mental illness often first appears or worsens in young adulthood, and for these students, accessing appropriate clinical intervention is critical.

But for many students, what will be most appropriate and effective are supports to develop their resilience and coping strategies and the confidence to rebound from setbacks.

Being a young adult today is not easy. In addition to facing typical challenges, such as forming an identity and developing life skills, they have grown up with pressures from social media, isolation brought on by the global pandemic and the economic and political uncertainties of the twenty-first century.

Rising college costs have also raised the stakes for many students. College is a huge commitment both monetarily and emotionally, and our students know it.

They inevitably face obstacles when they move into the college environment, such as not knowing where they fit in and encountering more challenging coursework than they had previously. Believing they are an outlier, rather than the norm, may undermine their resilience.

That's why at Lewis & Clark we incorporate resilience-building practices, using research-based belonging exercises as well as intentional peer-to-peer support.

Two of our psychology professors, Jerusha Detweiler-Bedell and Brian Detweiler-Bedell, spearheaded our participation in a multiyear Stanford-led study that aimed to foster a deeper sense of belonging among our incoming first-year students, with the goal of helping them understand that their struggles are normal - and that things will get better over time.
Related: OPINION: One college president uses board games, bedtime stories, horses and ice-cream sundaes to help students cope
The exercises in the study incorporated stories of obstacles faced by other students and how they overcame them. While the original study's sample size was small, we saw an increase in retention rates and GPAs, especially among students from underrepresented groups. The results were so compelling that all incoming Lewis & Clark undergraduates now participate in the social belonging intervention.

We also initiated a peer mentoring program specifically serving first-year students. The mentors reach out to incoming first-year students and introduce them to campus life with information about academic advising, navigating health and wellness services and various campus clubs and social options. The mentoring relationship begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester. Just as important as what the peer mentors do is how they model resilience.

Of course, approaches like these should be offered with an understanding of what other interventions some students may need. Clinical depression and anxiety disorders do require clinical support. Higher education institutions must continue to expand our capacity to provide such support for those students who need it.
Robin H. Holmes-Sullivan is president of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She has maintained a private clinical psychology and consulting practice for more than three decades. This story about college students and resilience was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for Hechinger's newsletter.
But we must also prioritize programs that bolster resilience. These efforts can reassure and help students (and their families) who may be misidentifying their feelings based on popular rather than clinical understandings of depression and anxiety.

When it comes to setting students up for success in their professional and personal lives, resilience may be the most important skill we can encourage them to develop.

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OPINION: Our college students are struggling emotionally. We need to understand how to help them - The Hechinger Report

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Recent headlines tell a distressing story about the mental health of college students. Many students may benefit most not from clinical interventions but from support that builds their resilience.

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Why is Adjusting to College so Difficult, and How Can Colleges Support First-Year Students?

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I closed the door to my black sedan and pressed the small button to open the trunk. It creaked as it slowly opened—revealing four black lawn chair…

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critical thinking group worksheet