Many mental health problems only begin to show up in college, and there are many reasons for this. College might be exciting, with events and social occasions around every corner, but students can also feel pressure from home, their professors, and their peers. The environment often fails to live up to expectations. Then, here are some of the top challenges that college students face.
- Course Stress
Firstly, the stress of their academic course can lead college students to become withdrawn and show symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as a racing heartbeat and low mood. They might start procrastinating their coursework, stop attending lectures, and fail to revise for exams. This is because college courses are often unlike anything the student has had to combat before, with more independent learning and self-motivation, more complex material, and extensive research. They might also not feel as guided as they did at school. If this is the case, most colleges offer additional support for students who are struggling, and professors will often be happy to arrange one-to-one sessions with students.
- Homesickness
For many people, this will be their first time being away from home for a long period, and even the most confident young adults can struggle with this. They might miss their friends, family and pets, as well as the places they loved to go and the lifestyle that they previously led. This is more often the case in students who have travelled far from home for college, who are unable to contact their loved ones often, or who are living in accommodation that they dislike. The transition between rural and city living or vice versa can also be difficult. If this is impacting your or a loved one’s ability to enjoy life and carry out usual activities, setting up video calls with those back home can be useful, as well as pinning up photos and bringing old mementos and items from home to college.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
College can often create the opportunity for an unhealthy lifestyle. Not only do students have to feed themselves and keep themselves hydrated, which can often be forgotten in the thrill of college life, but they may also be in an environment where drugs and alcohol are offered, often underage. If this is affecting your mental health, you should consider looking at therapy options that have been designed for students. For instance, some companies offer life coaching for college students no matter where you are and can allow you to get your life back on track.
- Loneliness
Loneliness can be extremely damaging to young people. You might think that college is a great opportunity to meet new people every day, either in lectures or during nights out. However, if the student in question does not enjoy traditional college activities, or is struggling to make meaningful connections, college can be isolating, especially if they spend most of their time trapped in their room. To prevent loneliness from taking over your or your student’s life, you should arrange trips back home, find hobby groups that are of interest, and try to live with friends throughout the rest of the college years.