When you first start college, you don’t always know the resources around you. In fact, stepping into college feels like stepping into a whole new world. It can be exciting, but it can also get overwhelming.
When I first arrived at USC, I didn’t know where to turn for help. I felt lost and it felt like everyone else around me had it all figured out. But through trial and error and the guidance of my resident advisor, or RAs, and classmates, I was able to learn about wellness resources around my campus and that made all the difference.
That’s why I’m sharing this guide with you. Whether you’re stressed about classes or wanting to find study spots or feel supported, these tips and resources are here to help you take care of your overall wellness. Taking care of yourself allows you to have better connections, better study habits, and overall impacts your mental and physical wellbeing in a positive manner.
My hope is that by the end of this article, you feel empowered to explore, discover, and reach out to the resources available on your campus. Let’s go!
1. Find quiet study spaces
It can be hard to find quiet places on campus or in your own living situation. For many, in order to focus on assignments or readings, it is important to be in a quiet and peaceful environment. Here are some resources that you can find on campus to do so!
Room reservations
Search up your college’s room reservations website where you are able to reserve study rooms either within libraries or student center buildings. For most campuses, you will just have to provide your school email address and choose your bookings. And done! Now you have a study room that you can have to yourself (perfect for when you need a really quiet space) or a study room that you can share with friends (perfect for group study sessions).
Student unions
Most likely your campus has centers that are related to multicultural identities such as: Latino student center, Black student union, Native American student association, first-gen center, APIA center, DREAM center, and more! Usually, these groups have their own rooms or centers where any student can pop in and use their resources, go to their events, or just to chill and focus on homework. If all the libraries and study rooms have been reserved and are super busy, feel free to explore one of these centers where they have chairs and desks and welcoming environments that you can use as a place to study and catch up on your homework.
Explore!
Take some time and explore around campus! Surely there can be tables around, outside seating areas, or if you would just like to get out of campus, go ahead and try new places to study. It’s okay to change up your environment! Here are some ideas: cafe, public libraries, and museums.
2. Go to the gym
This is for the gym rats. Nah, just kidding! If you’re like me, I am not the biggest fan of the gym but hey, many of the campus gyms are free to students so why not?!
Free gym + taking care of your physical health = top priority.
Free workout sessions
Search up your school’s gym or look up your school’s recreational sports centers. There, you will be able to find your gym’s location as well as their sessions that you can sign up for. You can sign up for classes such as barbell, yoga, Pilates, cycling, dance, stretching, kickboxing, and Zumba!
For many schools, these sessions can be free, just make sure to check that there are no fees and if there are no fees, make sure to catch any free promotions at the beginning of the school year or semester.
3. Know therapy sessions are available
As a student, it can be hard to juggle classes, homework, and studying with all your other responsibilities. It can get very overwhelming and that it totally okay. Many schools offer free counseling sessions when you need someone to hear or talk about how you feel.
Counseling and mental health services
Your school can have an extension service connected to your school’s insurance where you can have access to many services such as therapists, counseling and clinical support, group therapy, psychiatric services, and more!
In addition, you can also access text-based connections to a trained responder through free chats and there are even other resources that are available to anyone. For example, if you’re a bit too nervous about these services, you can always try out other approaches such as Nod, an app that allows you to follow and connect, set low-key achievable goals, and conversation starters. You can access this just by using your school email!
4. Make the most of student basic need resources
Are you struggling with finding food, needing a snack, or looking for assistance with financial hardships or housing? Many campuses offer programs for basic needs that are free and available to any student.
Food pantries and groceries
If you are having a hard time securing adequate food, feel free to check out your school’s food pantry! These pantries are almost like a grocery store. You are able to bring a recyclable bag and get the food and ingredients you need and would like.
There might be other food pantries near you that may not be school affiliated, but you can also use. If you live in California, check out CalFresh, a California food benefits program that helps students buy groceries and can get up to $291 each month in benefits which can be used at select locations and stores.
Housing resources
If you are experiencing the inability to pay rent or utilities or residing in a place where personal safety or health in compromised, reach out to your campus’ student basic needs center to get connections and assistance or to get suitable housing or shelter in the area. They can list many housing options, online resources for finding roommates, and even legal assistance to navigate tenant laws, rent debt, and eviction.
Financial support
Your campus’ student basic needs center can give you access to what financial resources are available to you. They even provide supplemental funding for students who are experiencing sudden financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances, and you may use that award toward housing/rent expenses, food expenses, medical/dental expenses, and childcare expenses.
5. Seek additional support
Your college campus is full of teams of professionals who are there to assist current students who are in complicated issues.
For example, at USC, there is Campus Support and Intervention. They provide consultation in person, by Zoom, or over the phone. They are a huge resource with issues regarding academics, health, health leave of absences, basic needs, and safety. Even if you are worried about someone, you can even reach out to them for help.
Academic support
If you are experiencing issues related to grade disputes, academic probation, a leave of absence, holds to your registration, or ADA accommodations, there are many resources. These resources include: your academic advisor, writing centers, math center, language center, tutoring centers, supplemental instruction, and more.
Safety resources
During college, you might experience difficult life events or crises, and it is important to know that you are not alone. Whether it’s your university’s campus support and intervention team, public safety office, or another department, there are professionals who can help with events such as missing persons, hospitalization, family emergency/personal tragedy, gender-based concerns, or harassment.
These programs are all designed to support you. Remember, you’re not alone. Support is always available – you just have to take the first step.
