ASUN president advises incoming freshman on college stressors

It was time to go to college.

Megan Collins waved goodbye to her family and left her home in Omaha to find a new one at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Of course, she was nervous. But also very excited.

At UNL, thousands of students surrounded her, sauntering down campus pathways, rushing in and out of classrooms with books and iPods at hand.

“I didn’t think it was possible … to separate yourself and be a thriving individual,” Collins said. “I thought it would be easy to get lost.”

“But it’s not,” she adds, sitting now – four years later – in her Association of Students of the University of Nebraska office.

The student body president and senior business administration major agrees the first year in college may be quite scary, strange or mentally straining in many other ways. But the resources are there to limit mental stress to the minimum and successfully reach the highest goals.

It could be the emotional attachment to the beloved family and friends left behind at home. Or it could be the academic challenges of shifting to university-level courses. Or adjustments to the new living arrangements and the dormitory environment. Or even adapting to a different diet, laundry procedures or, in Collins’ case, showering in public bathrooms.

Whatever stressor first-year students face, the remedy is “time and not being afraid to seek out the resources,” Collins said.

For her it was a community of new friends “who challenge you, encourage you and help you become the person you want to grow to be.”

For some, it could be a residence assistant on their floor, who may have advice on roommate issues, making friends or campus life.

Someone else may choose to make their way to the Counseling and Psychological Services at the University Health Center — for up to three visits free of charge.

“Having some kind of adjustment issue moving to university is very normal, because it is a big change,” said Mary Swoboda, mental health practitioner with CAPS. “And even good changes can be stressful.”

One of common problems freshmen face is homesickness. Parents also may suffer from separation or — if the student is the only or last child to leave home — parents are often prone to an emptiness syndrome.

While each instance is different, Swoboda emphasized communication as a key to preventing mental distress.

For example, parents will know their children’s strengths and weakness and can help them prepare for the new environment. They may encourage a shy student to find a group of friends or remind a very outgoing one to take academics seriously or, on the other hand, not to get overloaded.

Also, a plan for how parents and students will keep in touch throughout college may help avoid frustrations and miscommunication later.

Collins, in fact, said her relationship with parents got better as she became more independent while regularly catching up with them making a quick phone call on the way to class and getting the “little slice of home” she needed.

With a bit of flexibility, adaptability and planning, most changes soon become normal.
If they don’t, though, and the student’s feelings seem very outside the norm, Swoboda stressed the importance of reaching out for professional help.

The student body president’s ultimate advice was, “Take it in stride. Take it one day at a time.”

alinaselyukh@dailynebraskan.com