Recently I have been reminded of the fact that moving away to college, especially when you are not inclined to go out of your way to meet new people, can be a very lonely experience. Many students that I have met with, and quite a few friends that I have met both at University and who have graduated (or dropped out) of college, have talked with me about the transition from high school to college; some expressing gratitude for college being nothing like high school and others wishing that their college life was more like their high school life.
So what do you do when you are away at college and the transition isn't all you thought it would be? What if you worry about your grades, your lack of 'real' friends, or what if you have a lot of people around you but don't feel connected? For some of us, problems like these don't really get us down for too long, but for others these problems become a big part of our everyday life for awhile.This blog is meant to highlight ways of coping with loneliness, maybe reaching out, getting involved, and potentially trying new things (if you're up for it).
Some interesting ways that some of us cope with feeling alone is to 'vlog' (yeah, I had no idea this even existed), blog, tweet, or use other social media avenues to put themselves out there. Sara vlogged (is that how you use the word in past tense?) about herself during her times of loneliness, while Lauren offers tips on surviving the first year of college. Others like Kay use a blog as her outlet.
Long story short, loneliness happens for most of us at some point or another. This blog is meant to help offer ideas of combating that loneliness. There are always the 'get out there and do something!' folks, but in reality sometimes it's hard to find the 'right' something.
Of course, me being a counselor and all, I have to state the obvious. If these feelings of loneliness have lasted for awhile (maybe two-three weeks or longer), or if these feelings are messing with your day-to-day life, seek out help on campus. I know it's a big step, that 'tomorrow will be better', and that you may feel funny (or crazy, or stupid, basically insert any word you've ever put yourself down with), but for many seeking help at a counseling center, with your academic advisor, with your leader in faith, or an RA can prove to help. I encourage you not to ignore these feelings in the hopes that they'll go away.
I hope this blog has set you to thinking about ways that you can reach out. Let me know if I can help you find other resources!
So what do you do when you are away at college and the transition isn't all you thought it would be? What if you worry about your grades, your lack of 'real' friends, or what if you have a lot of people around you but don't feel connected? For some of us, problems like these don't really get us down for too long, but for others these problems become a big part of our everyday life for awhile.This blog is meant to highlight ways of coping with loneliness, maybe reaching out, getting involved, and potentially trying new things (if you're up for it).
Some interesting ways that some of us cope with feeling alone is to 'vlog' (yeah, I had no idea this even existed), blog, tweet, or use other social media avenues to put themselves out there. Sara vlogged (is that how you use the word in past tense?) about herself during her times of loneliness, while Lauren offers tips on surviving the first year of college. Others like Kay use a blog as her outlet.
Long story short, loneliness happens for most of us at some point or another. This blog is meant to help offer ideas of combating that loneliness. There are always the 'get out there and do something!' folks, but in reality sometimes it's hard to find the 'right' something.
Of course, me being a counselor and all, I have to state the obvious. If these feelings of loneliness have lasted for awhile (maybe two-three weeks or longer), or if these feelings are messing with your day-to-day life, seek out help on campus. I know it's a big step, that 'tomorrow will be better', and that you may feel funny (or crazy, or stupid, basically insert any word you've ever put yourself down with), but for many seeking help at a counseling center, with your academic advisor, with your leader in faith, or an RA can prove to help. I encourage you not to ignore these feelings in the hopes that they'll go away.
I hope this blog has set you to thinking about ways that you can reach out. Let me know if I can help you find other resources!
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