13.2 Reaching Out for Help
Christine Malone, EdD
Most colleges provide campus resources for students. These may include a counseling center, academic advisors, financial aid administrators, public safety centers, health and mental wellness services, crisis services, career services, centers for students of color, and centers for students in the LGBTQ+ community.
Students may locate resources on campus by searching the school website. Students should also reach out to their advisor or their instructor for information about the resources available to them on campus. These resources are not necessarily for students attending classes in person, many resources are available for students taking courses online.
Instructors typically have office hours where they are available to meet with students. These may be drop-in hours or by appointment. Students who are struggling in their course should reach out to their instructor as soon as possible. The instructor will provide information on resources, study guides, or other items that may assist the student.
For courses that include a laboratory component, students may be able to reach out to their instructor to inquire about additional time in the laboratory for practice.
Resources Available to Students
Students have a variety of resources available to them on college campuses. While an instructor may suggest a referral to a student, it is not always possible for instructors to notice when a student needs assistance. Students need to be proactive and speak up for themselves when they have a need.
For students who have English as a second language, most college campuses have resources available to help with studying and language skills. Students who struggle with reading and writing might seek out the help of a tutor. In the event the student has a disability that interferes with their learning, they may reach out to the Disability Services Department on their college campus.
For students who are experiencing a personal crisis that is interfering with their course work, instructors are there to assist and provide information. This may include finding support through the counseling center on campus, or information on how to drop a class. Many colleges have a mechanism for students to receive a grade of “incomplete” in their course, if they’ve come close to finishing the coursework, but will not be able to finish by the end of the quarter or semester. Each school has a policy for receiving a grade of “incomplete” so students should look into the requirements at their school if they believe this is something they need to pursue. This provides the student with the opportunity to finish the coursework after the course ends.
For students who need to stay on campus while attending courses, many colleges have dorms or other forms of student housing. In many cases, the housing is covered by financial aid. Many colleges offer student work opportunities. These jobs are typically part time and payment to the student may be in the form of a tuition waiver.
Colleges have student programs available for students who wish to become involved in campus activities. Students may participate in student government programs, or other activities that benefit the college and the community.
Academic Advisors
Colleges have academic advisors to assist students in determining their degree plan, and choosing courses. General advisors are typically those that give general advice to students, such as advising on general education topics (math, English, sciences, etc.) Program advisors are those who work with students on a specific degree plan, such as medical assisting or nursing. Working with an advisor is extremely helpful for students in that the advisors will make sure the student registers for all needed courses, in a specific order (if applicable), and does not take any unneeded courses.
What Resources are Available in the Community?
As part of career planning, colleges may have programs to assist students with opportunities to visit clinics or hospitals, to see healthcare employees in their work settings. These opportunities to shadow a healthcare employee are very helpful for students who are unsure of the job duties. Many clinics welcome the opportunity for students to visit their facilities. When visiting a clinic to observe, students must adhere to dress code policies and present themselves in a professional way. In some cases, students may need to prove vaccination status before observing in a healthcare facility. Students will need to sign a Business Associate Agreement that states the student will not violate patient confidentiality. The Business Associate Agreement is described in Chapter 5.
Many colleges offer career fairs. These events typically include employers in the community coming to campus to offer information on employment with their organization. Students are able to visit these employer representatives and ask questions about the organization, including wages, work hours, and benefits.
Self-care
Attending a college program can be a stressful time for many students. The challenges of balancing work and family life can be overwhelming at times. Part of any success strategy includes practicing self-care. Students need to be in tune with their emotional and physical well-being and take steps to manage stress. Ways to manage stress may include meditation, yoga, exercise, or other forms of relaxation. College campuses often have resources or referrals for students who feel they are becoming too stressed or overwhelmed.
Skill Stitch: Self-care
Self-care is important for college students for several reasons:
- Stress management: College life can be extremely demanding, with academic pressures, deadlines, exams, and social responsibilities. Engaging in self-care activities helps students manage stress and maintain their overall well-being. It allows them to take a break from their studies and recharge, reducing the risk of burnout.
- Mental health support: College students often face new challenges and experiences that can impact their mental health. Practicing self-care helps students prioritize their mental well-being and cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Activities such as mindfulness, exercise, and seeking social support can contribute to positive mental health outcomes.
- Physical health maintenance: College life can disrupt regular routines, leading to unhealthy habits like irregular sleep patterns, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. Engaging in self-care activities promotes physical health by encouraging students to prioritize sleep, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and engage in preventive healthcare practices. These habits can enhance energy levels, concentration, and overall physical well-being.
- Improved academic performance: Taking care of oneself has a direct impact on academic performance. When students prioritize self-care, they enhance their ability to concentrate, retain information, and manage time effectively. Proper rest, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques can enhance cognitive functioning, memory, and problem-solving skills, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes.
- Building resilience: College is a time of transition and personal growth. By practicing self-care, students develop resilience and the ability to cope with challenges effectively. Engaging in activities that promote self-reflection, self-compassion, and emotional regulation helps students build their resilience muscles, which can serve them well beyond their college years.
- Balancing responsibilities: College students often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as academics, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, and personal relationships. Self-care helps students maintain a healthy work-life balance, allowing them to allocate time for relaxation, hobbies, and socializing. It enables them to prioritize their own needs while managing their responsibilities effectively.
Overall, self-care is crucial for college students because it promotes holistic well-being, enhances mental health, improves academic performance, and equips students with essential skills to navigate the challenges they may encounter during their college journey.
Attributions
- Figure 13.6: image released under the Pexels License
- Figure 13.7: image released under the Pexels License
Services that are available to students on their college campus.
Defines what the employee should wear that is appropriate for the work setting, such as clean scrubs, close toed shoes, coveralls, etc.
