Anxiety is Common in College Students, Here’s How to Help

College is often one of the most exciting and life-changing experiences someone can go through. Of course, as a parent, you deal with a variety of emotions when it comes to sending your teen off to school on their own.  But it’s important to understand that they’re probably dealing with a lot of their own emotions, too—even if they don’t share them. 

No matter how excited a new student is about the college experience, it’s not always easy. 

Even after “getting used to it” or attending school for a couple of years, anxiety is still common in college students. They have to deal with everything from strict schedules, tons of extra work, studying, jobs, and social circles. So as a parent, how can you help?

No matter how long your child has been in college, there are still things you can do to ease their anxiety and offer support along the way. Let’s look at a few helpful ideas. 

Make Sure You’re Listening

You might be hundreds of miles away from your child when they’re at school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be an active listener. Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected so take advantage of that. 

Schedule a weekly “catch up” with your child where they can tell you everything that’s going on in their lives. Phone conversations are great, but you might be able to pick up on what they really feel if you video chat. 

Plus, when your child knows that you’re really listening to them by asking questions, validating their feelings, and letting them speak freely, they’re more likely to open up. They might start to share some of their struggles without being prompted.

That allows you to help them cope because knowing that someone is listening can make a big difference in how they feel. 

Encourage Them to Step Out

It’s not uncommon for some collegiate anxiety to stem from homesickness. When someone is dealing with anxiety, they might feel “safer” shutting themselves in. But, unfortunately, that can make things worse. That's why one of the best things you can do is encourage them to try new things like joining a club or getting into sports. 

If your student can find something on campus that interests them, especially with like-minded people, it can help to ease their fears. You can even look at groups and clubs together ahead of time so they can have an idea of what they might want to do, and so they feel supported too. 

Stay Educated

Mental health issues are running rampant across college campuses. Most people think of college as this fun, free time, but many students don’t necessarily feel that way. It’s a lot of pressure, stress, and fears that they didn't have to deal with before. So educating yourself on those mental health issues and what they're going through is essential.

Take the time to learn more about how students are struggling and why. Then, in your research, seek out mental health help opportunities for your student. Most campuses across the country offer some type of mental health support. Some are better than others, but every little bit helps. 

And of course, don't be afraid to talk to your college student about your findings. One of the problems with getting help for anxiety is that it isn’t talked about enough. By opening up to them about what you found, you could be giving them a window to talk to you about it. At the very least, you'll help them recognize some of the signs. 

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Supporting your college student is one of the best things you can do during this time, and advocating for their mental health is even better. Keep these ideas in mind to help your child and help yourself feel good knowing that you're giving them a solid foundation to manage their anxiety. Contact us if you believe your college student could benefit from counseling.