First-year college students often form expectations about college life long before they leave home. Some young adults look forward to college, eager to experience more freedom and adventure. Others may be enthusiastic initially but then discover that the experience falls short of their expectations when they don’t feel happy, comfortable, or secure in their new environment. Still, others know that leaving home will be difficult and therefore dread the thought of leaving for college. No matter what his or her expectations, nearly every student encounters obstacles he or she didn’t anticipate during the transition to college. Even positive life changes produce stress, and indeed the changes leaving home demands can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and worry. These feelings are typical and part of the developmental transition to college.
Thriveworks Counseling in Wilmington, NC Is Here to Help
You may expect your college years to be among the best of your life. If you feel upset and miserable, this can be a very confusing and scary expectation. However, many students feel sad and scared during the first several weeks of college. You are in a demanding new environment, and everything is different, and you may even feel like you’re not supposed to be here. You may feel you must grow up all at once, which may overwhelm or even depress you. You may feel far away from the people who love and support you. Perhaps you are a student who does not feel homesick but instead feels disappointed in your experiences and personal interactions. If you are distressed, you may notice that other students are happy and optimistic. It may surprise you, however, to learn that many other first-year students are scared and sad even if they don’t show it.
If you are struggling with the transition to college and you’re looking for a therapist or psychologist in the Wilmington, NC area, the counselors at Thriveworks are here to help. Contact our office today at (910) 247-4818 to see how we can help you adjust and succeed!
