Starting post-secondary education is very exciting but can also trigger negative emotions such as anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness. In the paragraphs below, we will talk about the major stressors students encounter when they enter this phase of their education and how you can mitigate the effects to navigate through them successfully.
What Causes Post-Secondary Stress?
When you’ve been looking forward to starting college or university, the reality of being there can be overwhelming. Let’s look at the challenges new post-secondary students face:
- Being away from home
Students living in residence or off-campus housing may be living away from home for the first time. They no longer have their family to confide in or to lean on for support. Living away from home also means doing your own laundry, preparing food, grocery shopping, and cleaning your living space. Even if you were doing those chores at home, they’ll now be added to the other stressors you encounter. - Less structure
This may sound like a positive, as you’ll have more flexibility with your time and with how you approach your studies. However, many people find that the lack of a strict schedule leaves them feeling lost, which can easily lead to depression, anxiety, and procrastination. - Heavier workloads
The volume and intensity of the work are much greater in higher education, and self-discipline is required to stay on track. The extra work can be disabling, especially for students who tend to procrastinate. - Friends are no longer nearby
Childhood and high school friends won’t be as close at hand as they once were. Dealing with all the changes of the post-secondary experience can be very difficult when you can’t talk to the people you’ve travelled through life with up to this point. - Everyone is talented
High performers in secondary school are accustomed to getting the best grades and winning awards for their academic achievements. Once you get to college or university, everyone you meet will be a top performer. This can be disorienting for first-year students still settling on a personal identity.
How to Cope with Stress and Anxiety in Post-Secondary Education
Fortunately, new post-secondary students walk a path that many others have walked before them. While it remains challenging, there are a few well-known ways to overcome the initial challenges of starting college or university, and plenty of resources at hand.
- Build your network
Most of us make friends as children and teenagers with people we see all the time: classmates, neighbours, or people we see at the playground or park. In college and university, you are less likely to run into the same people over and over, and you have to be more deliberate about making friends. Some things to try are:
o Attending orientation activities. These events are intended to help new students find places where they fit in and assist them in making friends. Go to as many of them as you can, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
o Join clubs and campus organizations that are focused on things you are interested in. These groups are always looking for new people because they have a big turnover every year.
o Participate in events. Campuses are hives of activity, with cultural, social, and sporting events happening all the time. Keep an eye on what’s going on and try out a few new things.
o Stay in touch with your network at home. Although you should try to make new connections, it’s okay to continue to depend on your friends and family at home, especially at first. - Manage your time
Making schedules and establishing routines go a long way toward mitigating stress. Not only will you stay up to date with your work, but you’ll get the benefits of structure. It can be difficult to do this on your own, so check your campus Academic Success Center for workshops and other types of guidance. You can also learn study skills there and get some coaching on how to deal with academic challenges.
- Find out what resources your school has
Many students get all the way through their post-secondary education without ever knowing that there are librarians whose job is to help students with library research, writing tutors who will work with you one-on-one, and nutritional counsellors you can access through the campus health center. Take note of all the resources available at your school when you get to campus. (Hint: they often have this information at orientation). Use these resources liberally. - Prioritize your health
Campuses are busy places, with lots of new things to do on top of your coursework. It can be easy to neglect sleep, exercise, and healthy eating. Your physical health can start to suffer before you even know it, and mental health is a common struggle for new college and university students. You will need to be deliberate and planful about getting enough sleep, eating the right foods, and acknowledging when you are struggling emotionally.
When you find that your stress and anxiety are becoming overwhelming, visit your campus wellness center or health centre. They are very adept at helping students with their mental health challenges, and they can also help you with other aspects of your well-being.
A Note for Parents and Guardians
Having a child start college or university is challenging for parents as well as students, even if the students continue to live at home. Do not overlook yourself in this process. Seek advice from friends who have been through the same thing, check in with your child, and talk to a counsellor if you’re struggling. Be sure to look after the other aspects of your health as well: continue to exercise, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest!
Final Thoughts
The beginning of post-secondary study is as challenging as it is exciting. Students, parents, and other members of the family must adjust to a variety of changes, and it is not unusual to experience mental health issues. Mitigating the effects of these challenges can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
At Kari Walton Counselling, we understand what this transition is like. Every member of our excellent team has been there, and we are ready to see you through it, too. Whether you are a student experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, homesickness, or fears about fitting in, or you are a parent struggling with your own emotions or those of your child, we can help. Contact us today for an appointment. Let’s talk.