ADJUSTING TO COLLEGE

Beginning college can be a challenge for many students. No matter the expectations, most students encounter challenging experiences or obstacles at the beginning of college that they didn’t anticipate. Life changes can produce stress, and certainly, the changes involved in leaving home for college are demanding and can lead to varying emotions which are typically a normal developmental of transition to college.

CHANGES TO EXPECT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE

• Increased personal freedom
• Increased responsibility
• Managing time
• Establishing new relationships on campus
• Changing relationships with those from home

WHAT TO DO IF I AM NOT HAPPY IN COLLEGE

Below are some things you can do to help yourself make the adjustment:

• Reach out to others on campus. You are likely to find that you are not the only one who is sad and upset. Your R.A. is a good resource to talk to and to help you figure out how to cope. Upperclassmen may also be eager to share with you experiences of their own difficulty adjusting to college life during their freshmen year.
• Join campus organizations and clubs that appeal to you. These activities can help you to meet and interact with others who share similar interests and/or may also be looking to meet new people.
• Make an extra effort to take care of yourself. This includes making time to rest, eat balanced meals, exercise, and engage in healthier lifestyle patterns. Try to develop a manageable schedule to include time for yourself and your studies.
• Adjust your expectations if things are not working out as you planned. Try to give yourself some time to adjust. Recognize that relationships take time to develop (e.g. most students’ friendships from home are formed over a period of years), and that your surroundings will become more familiar over time.
• Seek out resources on and off campus. These varied resources include your mentor, advisor, professors, the Counseling Center, Residence Life staff, Campus Ministry, the Student Health Center, Office of Health Promotions, Learning Support Services, Center for Access, Success and Achievement, the Career Center, and more. Each of these resources will also assist in connecting you with other helpful resources on campus.

THE COUNSELING CENTER

The Counseling Center offers supportive, confidential help from licensed psychologists and clinicians at no additional cost to you.  If you are a first-year student who is having a difficult time transitioning to Villanova University, you can call (610) 519-4050 or stop by Room 206, Health Services Building to schedule an appointment with a counselor.