Therapy for College StudentsAdmin User2023-03-31T09:42:08-04:00
Therapy for College Students in Bergen County
Helping You Navigate Life’s Transitions
College is the introduction to adulthood and the transition to independence. You’re thrusted into making decisions on your own, from what you eat and the classes you will take to the financial loans you may need to secure. While it’s an exciting time of growth and discovery, it’s also a period of academic, social, and financial pressure that culminates with the stress of finding a job and entering “real life”. I understand and respect the challenges young adults face as they navigate school, life, relationships, career paths, and the unknown. Throughout my career as a therapist, I have gained extensive experience working with entering and exiting college students, and those living in between, as they confront daily stressors and life’s uncertainty.
Adulting Is Challenging
Being on your own for the first time. Academic independence. Juggling attending classes, extracurricular activities, coursework, a social life, and a part-time job. Meeting new people. Planning your career path – from major to job applications and interviews. Learning to stand on your own and tackle the challenges of adult life is hard. But it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Chances are the people sitting alongside you in class are experiencing many of the same struggles as you.
Common Struggles College Students Face
The college life transition is fraught with many challenges, such as:
Living Away from Home
Adjusting to a new living space is difficult. You don’t have the amenities, comforts and familiarity of home. Add to that the likelihood that you’re living with a stranger. These adjustments can be quite jarring and hard to navigate.
Decision Making
So many of the decisions you make during college will impact your career journey, so the pressure can be great. Anxiety of what to do with your life or whether you are making the right career or job choice can cause a whole array of stressful emotions.
Social Relationships
In high school, you were likely surrounded by kids you grew up with. You had a sense of security. In college, you’re met with a sea of new faces. It can be scary trying to make new friends and you may find it difficult to maintain your existing relationships.
Family Relationships
During this time of separation from your parents, you may start to examine where you came from, how your beliefs may be different from those of your family, and your new found independence. Your relationships with your parents may shift and you are unsure of how to handle that.
Academics
The rigors of college courses are much different than those in high school, even if you took AP or college level classes. And for the first time, you have academic independence. Your grades may hinge on just midterms and finals, and you are left to navigate the course on your own, devise a schedule to stay on top of your work, and seek any academic assistance you may need. Students who are more competitive or who aspire to highly competitive careers or graduate schools may feel even greater pressure.
Discovering Sexuality
For many, college is a time to explore your sexuality – having a first serious relationship, becoming sexually active, figuring out your sexual identity. These experiences can heighten emotions related to self-esteem, self-acceptance, fear of acceptance, confusion, concerns of STDs, and more.
Self-Doubts
The college years bring with it a lot of angst and self-questioning, from did I choose the right school and am I headed on the career path I want, to will I find a job and is this job the one that I really want. All of this questioning can become debilitating and overwhelming.
Drugs and Alcohol
Although many students are exposed to substances in high school, some students find the pressure to use them in college more intense. And, the anxiousness of fitting in and finding new friends can lead to a dangerous path.
Body Image and Eating Disorders
The pressures of college life can exacerbate insecurities, which can lead to trying to control certain aspects of your life. One of those is your body. Restricting diet and over-exercising is quite common among college students.
Post-College Life
As graduation approaches, you may be feeling unsure of what comes next. This anxiety may impact your ability to make clear decisions about your career, where you want to live, and more.
Signs of Struggling to Watch Out For
While everyone’s experiences are different, many struggling college students experience bouts of:
No matter where you are on the college journey, therapy provides a place where your feelings are acknowledged and accepted. Therapy can help you identify the root causes of what you’re experiencing and give you the tools to help navigate your emotions and the stressors that are causing them so that you can live a more enjoyable life.
I am here to help you navigate the struggles of college life – from entrance to exit.
Post-College Life
