13.2 Reaching Out for Help
Christine Malone, EdD
Most colleges offer a variety of campus resources for students, including counseling centers, academic advisors, financial aid administrators, public safety offices, health and wellness services, crisis support, career services, centers for students of color, and centers for LGBTQ+ students.
Students can find these resources by visiting the school’s website or by reaching out to their advisor or instructor for more information. These resources are available not only for students attending classes in person but also for those taking online courses.
Instructors typically hold office hours for meetings with students. These hours may be drop-in or by appointment. Students who are struggling in a course should contact their instructor as soon as possible. Instructors can provide guidance on resources, study materials, or other assistance.
For courses with a laboratory component, students may be able to request additional lab time for practice by contacting their instructor.
Resources Available to Students
College campuses offer a variety of resources to support students. While instructors may suggest referrals, it is important for students to be proactive and speak up when they need assistance.
For students who speak English as a second language, most campuses offer resources to help improve language skills. Students struggling with reading or writing can seek tutoring support. If a student has a disability that impacts their learning, they should reach out to the Disability Services Department for accommodations.
For students facing personal crises that interfere with their coursework, instructors can help by providing information about available support, such as the counseling center or options like withdrawing from a class. Many colleges also offer the option of receiving a grade of “incomplete” for students who are close to completing their coursework but cannot finish it by the end of the semester. Policies for this vary by school, so students should check the specific requirements if they believe this might apply to them. This option allows students to finish their coursework after the course has officially ended.
For students needing on-campus housing, many colleges provide dorms or other student accommodations, often covered by financial aid. Many institutions also offer part-time student jobs, which may include a tuition waiver as compensation.
Additionally, colleges have student programs for those who wish to get involved in campus activities, such as student government or other community-benefiting initiatives.
Academic Advisors
Colleges provide academic advisors to help students plan their degree path and select courses. There are two main types of advisors: general advisors and program advisors. General advisors offer guidance on general education requirements (such as math, English, and sciences), while program advisors focus on specific degree plans, like medical assisting or nursing.
Working with an advisor is essential for students, as advisors ensure that students register for the necessary courses in the correct order (when applicable) and avoid taking unnecessary courses.
What Resources Are Available in the Community?
As part of career planning, many colleges offer programs that allow students to visit clinics or hospitals and observe healthcare professionals in their work settings. These shadowing opportunities are especially helpful for students unsure about specific job duties. Many clinics welcome student visitors, but students must adhere to the clinic’s dress code policies and maintain a professional demeanor. In some cases, students may be required to show proof of vaccination before observing in a healthcare facility. Additionally, students may need to sign a Business Associate Agreement, ensuring they will not violate patient confidentiality. This agreement is further explained in Chapter 5.
Many colleges also host career fairs, where community employers visit campus to provide information about job opportunities. These events allow students to meet with employers, ask questions about wages, work hours, and benefits, and explore potential career paths.
Self-care
Attending college can be stressful for many students, especially when balancing work, family life, and academic responsibilities. As part of a success strategy, students must prioritize self-care. Being aware of their emotional and physical well-being and managing stress are crucial. Effective stress management techniques may include meditation, yoga, exercise, or other relaxation practices. Many college campuses also offer resources or referrals for students who feel overwhelmed or unable to manage stress on their own.
Skill Stitch: Self-care
Self-care is important for college students for several reasons:
- Stress management. College life can be demanding with academic pressures, deadlines, exams, and social responsibilities. Engaging in self-care activities helps students manage stress, take breaks, and recharge, reducing the risk of burnout.
- Mental health support. College students often face new challenges that can affect their mental health. Practicing self-care allows students to prioritize their mental well-being, cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Activities such as mindfulness, exercise, and seeking social support contribute to positive mental health outcomes.
- Physical health maintenance. College life can disrupt routines, leading to unhealthy habits such as irregular sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. Self-care encourages students to prioritize sleep, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and engage in preventive healthcare practices, improving energy levels, concentration, and overall health.
- Improved academic performance. Proper self-care directly impacts academic performance. Students who prioritize their well-being enhance their concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills. Adequate rest, good nutrition, and stress reduction techniques can improve cognitive functioning and lead to better academic outcomes.
- Building resilience. College is a time of transition and growth. Self-care helps students develop resilience, enabling them to cope with challenges more effectively. Activities that promote self-reflection, self-compassion, and emotional regulation help build resilience, which benefits students beyond their college years.
- Balancing responsibilities. College students often juggle academics, part-time jobs, extracurriculars, and personal relationships. Self-care helps maintain a healthy work-life balance, giving students time for relaxation, hobbies, and socializing while managing their responsibilities.
In summary, self-care is crucial for college students as it promotes overall well-being, supports mental health, enhances academic performance, and equips students with the skills to navigate challenges throughout 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.