Topic of the Month

Topic of the Month

Welcome and Welcome Back To CSUN: How are you Doing?

We know that going to college can be a rewarding process; and sometimes quite stressful. We are here to help. You don't need to be sick to go to counseling; you just need to feel stuck.

Starting college for the first time or returning to a new semester may bring on some feelings that may include:

  • Loneliness
  • Feeling misunderstood
  • Feeling homesick
  • Difficulty concentrating and anxiety
  • Academic Confidence issues

Some students may find themselves struggling with new situations such as:

  • Roommates
  • Adjusting to new expectations in school
  • Getting to know new students and faculty
  • Becoming accustomed to balancing demands of school with home life and work
  • Managing your finances

Although this can be an intimidating time for students, the semester can be a new beginning and a new start. As alone as you may feel, many of your fellow classmates are having similar feelings. This can be the time where you can turn around your grades, become connected to other students and find groups and clubs to join. Joining clubs and organizations can help you to feel connected, understood and may improve self esteem.

ARE YOU FEELING ALONE?

Solitary tree in the middle of a pasture.

Being at college can often be a person's first time away from home, and the huge change can lead to feeling lonely. In fact, loneliness is one of the most common experiences for college students for a variety of reasons, perhaps due to loss of contact with family members, friends, and change in group activities. Loneliness is not always connected with being alone; it may be a warning sign that you're feeling disconnected from others. It is fully possible to feel lonely at parties, at lunch with friends, or in your dorm room with your roommates around. Feeling lonely can lead to a variety of negative side-effects:

  • Feeling isolated
  • Feeling inept at forming friendships
  • Feeling afraid to take risks in meeting new people
  • Self-consciousness

What can you do to avoid feeling lonely at school?

Actively seek out new social situations in which you think you can engage with other people with common interests. This can be anything from campus clubs, fraternities and societies, to local off-campus groups.

Check out the groups available in University Counseling Services; there's even a Goodbye to Shy group!

Learn to be assertive in social situations; start by saying hello to someone in a class whom you've never spoken to before! If you see someone who looks interesting to you, make the first move and say hello.

Enjoy developing your social side, and don't judge new people by past experiences with others; every new situation is an opportunity.


CONNECTING WITH OTHERS

Group of students smiling.

Students at CSUN also come from many different cultures and traditions that all meet and intersect at various venues. The university has been considered a microcosm or mini-snapshot of the multicultural blends that help create the life of Los Angeles. While an exciting place to thrive, being thrust into the campus social environment can become overwhelming at times. Some students experience for the first time what it's like to be connected with others from his/her ethnic upbringing and similar interests. The University Counseling Services provides opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and interests to come together and get support around issues that they deal with on a regular basis.

Come and check out the Latina/o Student Support, or the UJIMA African American/Black Student Support that are resources for students of color to experience a sense of connection. There are also both the Women's Support and the Men's Support groups for students needing empowering environments. Perhaps you need to have the safety of connecting with the LGBTWQ Support group in order to have a place to discuss your experiences. These groups allow you an outlet for sharing common interests and similar traditions, so you don't have to go through college alone. Instead, you get a social enhancing opportunity by joining a community of new and encouraging friends.

Are You Having Money Concerns?

We know that money is a gigantic source of stress for students. In this economy almost everyone is feeling squeezed financially. For some you have not received as much student aid as you hoped. Others, your parents may have lost a job or making less money than last year. Many of you are having trouble finding employment that matches your academic schedule. At UCS we are offering a workshop/group where issues of money can be discussed. Go to our website and look for $tress workshops or call to find out how to sign up.

Article: Money, Money, Money

Again, welcome and welcome back. We are here to assist you and are services are FREE.