One population that I have not yet mentioned on my blog is college students/young adults. Those transitioning to college are faced with a number of challenges that are unique. For many college students, they are living on their own for the first time. Many are faced with having to make an entirely new friend group. Several are not completely financially independent. This is also the case for many people transitioning from high school or college to the job market. There are a lot of new things to deal with. For some, the transition will be easy. They are able to practice a lot of self-discipline, find great friends early, and take stimulating classes that interest and excite them. For others, the transition is much more difficult. Many people struggle with making friends, the classes feel much harder than high school, and/or they have a difficult time balancing the academic demands with the social ones. All of this is normal, but it is also hard. There are ways for college students to ease the transition and stay safe-not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. This article lists a few ways to do that.
I think that #4 is really important-take classes that interest and excite you. Almost all colleges have prerequisites and you are bound to take some classes that you find dull. Just do not take them all in one semester! There is no better way to fall into the temptation of not going to class. If you find all of your classes boring, you won't want to go to any of them. If you are dreading your 9am (or even your 11am) class, you will be much more likely to stay up late and then justify sleeping in to skip it. Yes, get those prerequisites out of the way just sign up for at least one or two classes each semester that you can't wait to take. College classes are creative and numerous. You can definitely find at least one that you love.
Number 5 is also important-do not get too wrapped up in a relationship. College is about change and really figuring yourself out. A person's frontal lobe is not fully formed until they are 25 or 26. This means that until that time your interests, worldviews, and opinions are changing constantly. Do not stifle yourself by only spending time with one person. I am not saying that you should not date in college. This is a great time to find someone you really click with that you perhaps couldn't find in your small high school where you knew everyone since 1st grade. However, don't spend so much time with your significant other that you neglect your friends.
Numbers 8 and 9 go hand in hand. As I previously mentioned, college is a difficult and tumultuous time for a lot of people. During your time in college, you or someone you know will struggle emotionally. Know the signs of depression and have a plan for when you are so worried about someone that you need to seek help. As the article mentions, the college counseling center is a great place to start. Your college counselor, older students, a trusted professor-these are all people you can turn to when you are faced with a crisis. Every college campus is different so be aware of what is available on your campus.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201208/back-school/lesson-college-freshman-top-ten-mental-health
That's it for today! I hope that you enjoy the article and enjoy college! It is a really fantastic, exciting time in one's life. Stay safe and happy learning!
I think that #4 is really important-take classes that interest and excite you. Almost all colleges have prerequisites and you are bound to take some classes that you find dull. Just do not take them all in one semester! There is no better way to fall into the temptation of not going to class. If you find all of your classes boring, you won't want to go to any of them. If you are dreading your 9am (or even your 11am) class, you will be much more likely to stay up late and then justify sleeping in to skip it. Yes, get those prerequisites out of the way just sign up for at least one or two classes each semester that you can't wait to take. College classes are creative and numerous. You can definitely find at least one that you love.
Number 5 is also important-do not get too wrapped up in a relationship. College is about change and really figuring yourself out. A person's frontal lobe is not fully formed until they are 25 or 26. This means that until that time your interests, worldviews, and opinions are changing constantly. Do not stifle yourself by only spending time with one person. I am not saying that you should not date in college. This is a great time to find someone you really click with that you perhaps couldn't find in your small high school where you knew everyone since 1st grade. However, don't spend so much time with your significant other that you neglect your friends.
Numbers 8 and 9 go hand in hand. As I previously mentioned, college is a difficult and tumultuous time for a lot of people. During your time in college, you or someone you know will struggle emotionally. Know the signs of depression and have a plan for when you are so worried about someone that you need to seek help. As the article mentions, the college counseling center is a great place to start. Your college counselor, older students, a trusted professor-these are all people you can turn to when you are faced with a crisis. Every college campus is different so be aware of what is available on your campus.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201208/back-school/lesson-college-freshman-top-ten-mental-health
That's it for today! I hope that you enjoy the article and enjoy college! It is a really fantastic, exciting time in one's life. Stay safe and happy learning!