By Emmalee Welch, Contributing Writer
Attending college for the first time is a big change in a young adult’s life. Many students may leave high school feeling prepared for their time in university, yet when it comes to the time of their first college class, it isn’t always what they were expecting. It can be overwhelming and seem too challenging.
Many students struggle with anxiety in college due to the change in environment, pacing, and the different demands. Cameron White, a Saint Leo University class of ’21 graduate, can attest to these challenges through his own college experience. He said that the college experience felt different to him and he often felt like he did not belong.
“I was mostly in special education/resource classes. It was definitely a change of pace, and the environment felt different to me,” said White. “I really struggled with the assignments and my anxiety. There were many times when I felt like I didn’t deserve to be here.”
Growing up, anxiety was not something that White dealt with. It wasn’t until White started attending college at Saint Leo that his anxiety began. Many college students, especially freshmen, can relate to feeling the shift from high school to college and all of the pressures that come with it.
Whether you are the first one in your family to attend college, an international student, following in your parents’ footsteps, or making your own path, college can be intimidating. In early education systems, they tell you that going to college is what sets up your life, and the weight of choosing a major alone is enough to cause stress.
Thankfully Saint Leo has some outlets on campus for students to use to help them with their stress and anxiety and have helped White through his own experiences and he recommends that students use these resources.
“Organizations or groups that I would recommend are the University Ministry, and the counseling department,” said White. “When I was a freshman, I was introduced to the ministry. As I started to gain relationships with new people, it felt like a family.”
As a junior, White also reached out to the counseling services on campus and found the experience to be calming. He also urges other students dealing with mental health to use these resources on campus and get help sooner rather than later.
“You’re not alone. If you’re going through anxiety or depression, please remember that you have friends and family there to help you,” said White. “Please show as much respect to yourself, friends, and your family as much as possible.”
