Navigating the transition from childhood to young adulthood, particularly during the pivotal phase of transitioning to college, can be a tumultuous journey for many teenagers. The challenges of this period may include emotional, social, and academic struggles, along with exploring one’s personal identity. Therapy offers support, guidance, and coping strategies tailored to the unique needs of each teenager and equips them with the tools necessary to thrive as they embark on this significant life transition.
Emotional Support
Transitioning to college can be overwhelming for teenagers. They might experience anxiety, stress, homesickness, or fear of the unknown. Whether students are moving far away or just down the street from home for college, homesickness and the challenges of adapting to a new environment are difficult to face. Anxiety often comes from a sense of lack of control. Therapy can help high schoolers as well as college students talk through these anxieties in order to gain a sense of control over the challenges they are facing and learn effective coping strategies that may have a long-term positive impact. There are many coping strategies for clients to learn in sessions. An example includes relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation, that can help a teenager cope with the stress of starting college.
Academic Support
There are many differences in classes from high school compared to those of college, including the structure, schedule, professor’s style, workload, and more. It is exciting to move on to college coursework, but for rising college students, having feelings of dread or stress are not uncommon and there are solutions to these challenges that therapy provides much support for. If you are either a high school or current college student feeling overwhelmed by your list of tasks and assignments and are procrastinating, a therapist can help you discover the root issue of your procrastination and help you develop effective time management strategies. According to BetterHelp, good time-management skills are associated with both higher levels of academic achievement and lower levels of anxiety. Students who learn to navigate the various demands of their time may also gain valuable self-management and discipline skills that could prove useful in their future career endeavors. Therapy can assist teenagers in developing study habits in many ways, including creating an organized study schedule, setting achievable goals, implementing efficient study strategies, and learning effective stress-reduction techniques in order to succeed academically.
Personal Goals, Values, and Priorities
However, there is more to the college experience than just academic feats. College is often a time of self-discovery and identity exploration. It is essential for students to develop good decision-making skills because college will present numerous decisions regarding academics, career paths, extracurricular activities, and lifestyle choices. Therapy can help students recognize and identify their goals, values, and priorities in order for them to make informed decisions that align with their aspirations and promote their well-being. In a supportive and nonjudgmental environment, a therapist may engage the client in reflective exercises, journaling, or discussion to explore questions of identity, such as but not limited to cultural background, sexual orientation, or career aspirations in order to help clients gain clarity and confidence in their sense of self. And as said by many people, many times before, confidence is key!
Building New Relationships
Along with exploring one’s own identity and personal values, a big part of adapting to the new college environment is also making new friends and building new relationships. Whether in a sport, fun extracurricular activity, identity-related club, or something else, it is important for students to find a community within their school in order to experience personal connection and support. There are plenty of positive aspects and things to look forward to when meeting new people, but it can also be quite challenging. Therapy can help students navigate these adjustments by providing guidance, encouragement, and practical advice; along with discussing and identifying the borders or specific challenges that may be hindering the client’s confidence in their social abilities. Therapists can help clients improve their social skills for the long-term by building up their communication skills, assertiveness, boundary-setting, and conflict resolution techniques in order to foster positive relationships with their peers, roommates, professors, etc. Methods that clients may practice in sessions in order to strengthen these abilities include but are not limited to role-playing exercises, identifying coping strategies, group therapy sessions, and more. Everyone struggles with adapting to new environments and the social expectations that come with it, but especially for those struggling with social anxiety, talking with a therapist may help gradually improve the client’s confidence in social situations.
You Are Not Alone
According to the American College Health Association, approximately 50% of college students have rated their stress level as above average or tremendous. Furthermore, about 41.6% of college students have reported feeling overwhelming anxiety in the past year. However, the majority of college students hesitate to reach out for mental health help. But why? Well, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the two most common reasons for not receiving mental health services among students with depression were the belief that stress is normal in school and the lack of perceived need for help. Although having stress and anxiety in college is common among students, it should not be dismissed. It should instead be emphasized for students to receive mental health help, especially during a time period that entails so much change and adaptation. Remember that you are not alone on this journey and there are many solutions and coping techniques in order to not just survive, but thrive!
The transition of high school to college is symbolic of that from childhood to adulthood. This period of life carries many exciting and new opportunities, along with new anxieties and apprehensions. The difficulty that comes with this transitional period does not have to be faced alone though. Get in touch with a Juno Counseling and Wellness therapist today! We provide mental health counseling for teens and young adults facing life and school transitions in Palm Beach County.
References
Czyz, E. K., Horwitz, A. G., Eisenberg, D., Kramer, A., & King, C. A. (2013). Self-reported barriers to professional help seeking among college students at elevated risk for suicide. Journal of American college health : J of ACH. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3788673/#:~:text=For%20 example%2C%20the%20two%20 most,of%20 perceived%20need%20for%20help.
Kesherim, R. (2024, May 21). Alarming college student stress statistics. Total Care ABA Therapy – Helping Your Child Succeed. https://www.totalcareaba.com/statistics/student-stress-statistics#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20 American%20College,the%20past%20 year%20%5B1%5D.
Team, B. E. (2024, May 31). Time Management in college: Tips for Success. BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/time-management/time-management-in-college-tips-for-success/
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