What that College Admissions Means

I am not sure why universities picked April 1st as the day to release their final decisions on college admissions, a possible ode to April Fool’s Day, but for whatever reason across the nation high school seniors heard if they received admissions to their top schools.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails”

As I was talking to my niece about her final admissions and final decisions, I wanted to tell her a few key things to put these admission decisions into perspective.

1.       Your path is highly personal.

While there may be pressure from parents, friends, teachers, and even media, where you go to higher education depends on where you can become who you wish to be. Some students need a small intimate environment to be successful, some want the full-on collegiate experience, and others will make their decisions on financial aspects. In the end, the student’s journey is their alone. No one else can do the work for them, so being in a place that meets the student’s needs and no one else’s is highly important.

2.       You can become whoever, wherever you go.

We often feel that a “name” of a college defines who we are and where we go in life. While it may be true that certain schools breed unique social and economical connections, for the 99.5% of us who attend traditional universities or colleges, we will be provided with a great education and many fantastic opportunities to grow academically and as people. I am a true believer in the Taoist view of “There are many paths to one summit”. College will be what you make of it anywhere you go, it’s what you do once you get there that makes all the difference.

3.       Life is not over if you do not go to your 1st or 2nd choice.

Maybe you did not get your first, second, or even third choice of schools. For many students this creates a self doubt that what you did all in high school was not worth it. I worked with a student last year who should have gotten into every school he applied, perfect GPA and ACT score and high student involvement. He ended up at his fourth choice that had provided him with substantial scholarships, but he felt was a bit inferior to the others. I saw him after a year, and he LOVES his school and stated it was his perfect “fit”. I am a Happenstance theorist- meaning, that sometimes doors have to close so others can open. Call it divine intervention, fate, destiny, Karma, or whatever, but things have a way of working out in life. Focusing on the positives and doing #2 in this list, it will all work out.

4.       The journey is not over.

This week I did something I NEVER thought I could do…. I became Dr. Amanda Sterk. That is the first time writing that phrase, and it means to me all the hours of studying, hard work, persistence, and dedication I had to get there. What it taught me is that life is one step at a time; one foot in front of the other. Your life is not “fixed” at any age, especially not at 17+ years. Granted as we get older, certain responsibilities seem to slow us down (kids, spouses, jobs), but that is only because we let those things hold us back. Every day we wake up with the opportunity to do something different. One of my favorite quotes that has always inspired me is; “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails” (Mark Twain quote) .

Your journey has just begun.

Mental Health For Students: Anxiety

ANXIETY

Nobody said high school or college was easy -- in fact, there will be many moments in which students find themselves feeling anxious, whether it be over meeting new people or preparing for an exam. College is also a time when people are still learning more about themselves and growing at a rapid pace. With so much going on, it’s completely normal to get anxious. I mean, who wouldn’t get anxious over having to juggle many assignments, take rigorous exams, meet new people, and take on a part-time job? Don’t feel bad if you feel anxious, because chances are, many other students are in the same boat.

While a certain degree of anxiety is acceptable, it’s important to know when it’s going overboard. Similar to depression, anxiety can easily escalate into something more harmful. With that said, students who feel that their anxiety is affecting their quality of living should most definitely consult a mental health specialist or counselor to determine the type of anxiety they have and figure out the best solutions to overcome it before it’s too late.

According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America,

What types of anxiety are there?

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  – Outrageous thoughts, obsessions, or fears that result in repetitive behaviors
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  – Constant anxiety over anything and everything that interferes with day-to-day life
• Panic disorder
  – Sudden attacks of terror or panic that disturb quality of living
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
  – Everyday interactions cause you to tense up or feel overly self-conscious or embarrassed
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  – Occurs when something traumatic in life happens or if you witness something scary (i.e. a horrible car accident)

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

It’s hard to pinpoint specific symptoms for everyone, because everyone has their own way of showing anxiety (and subsequently, suppressing it as well), and dealing with it. However, on a general scale, here are some things to look into if you think you or someone you know may be experiencing anxiety requiring medical help:

• Being in constant fear
• Having frequent headaches
• Exhibiting shortness of breath
• Trouble concentrating
• Constantly feeling stressed or irritated
• Often sweating or feeling dizzy
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle pain or tension
• Frequent diarrhea
• Getting stomach aches a lot

Again, these symptoms are normal to a degree and experienced by people in and outside of school. However, if you feel that it may be interfering with your performance in your classes or interacting with people, then it may be time to seek help. Recognizing the signs is the first step to healing from any anxiety disorder. It’s important to note that occasional feelings of anxiety do not automatically indicate that you have an illness. If these feelings of anxiety persist, however, then it won’t be a bad idea to reach out for some help.

How do I know if I Have an Anxiety Disorder?

Having anxiety during test periods or big social settings is normal for most. If you feel that you might be abnormal for whatever reason, then it’s time to do some research and possibly reach out for help. Regardless of what you do, never blame yourself or others for having anxiety because it is completely faultless. Rather, it is an illness that can be fixed with medical attention. Some questions to ask yourself if you’re trying to find out whether you have an anxiety disorder is:

• Is it interfering with your perfoormance in school significantly?
• Is it affecting how you interact with other peers, your friends, and your family?
• Do you often fear social gatherings
• Do you find yourself being constantly worried over just about anything and everything on a daily basis?
• Do you have fears that others find weird or irrational?

If the answer is yes to one or more of these, it may be worthwhile to err on the safe side and seek medical attention. By seeing a mental health professional, you can get personalized guidance on how to heal properly.

Additional Resources: Anxiety

• Anxiety Resource Center - Get information about anxiety on a more general level. This site has plenty of educational materials, a newsletter, and a blog to help you stay on top of current trends and research with regards to anxiety.
• Social Anxiety Association - Find useful information about social anxiety, how to deal with it, the different treatment options available to you, and where you can get help.
• Beyond OCD - If you feel like you might have OCD specifically, this link will provide you with helpful information to find support groups in your area.
• American Psychological Association - This resource offers a wealth of information related to anxiety disorders and depression, and also has tools to help you find a psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders to assist you.
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America - Learn how you can prevent, treat, and cure anxiety and depression. This resource gives a great understanding on how we can better understand anxiety and depression disorders.

Mental Health: Depression

Overview

Article written by www.collegestats.org in conjunction with Safety, Health & Consumer Council, Becky Fournier

Mental health issues are becoming more prevalent in the college setting, which is why it is important for students and concerned family members to be familiar with it.

This guide is designed to help you identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues for college students. If left untreated, these issues can surely escalate and become debilitating for students. With that said, this guide will guide you on where and when to seek help as well. If you feel that you might be battling some mental issues or know someone that might be, then it is important to take action now rather than later.

To give you a quick idea on the statistics of mental health issues that students face during their college years, the National Alliance on Mental Illness demonstrates that:

Mental health issues can take many forms. The popular ones include depression, anxiety, suicide, eating disorders, and addiction. While it may be difficult to come to terms with any illness, it’s important to be aware and be familiar with the resources available whenever they are needed.

Dig Deeper: Types of Mental Health Issues

DEPRESSION

What is depression?

Students will likely experience some sort of mild depression at the very least some time during their college years, which can be normal. However, it’s crucial to know when you or someone might be going overboard and need medical help. Basically, depression is a type of brain disorder that is likely caused by a combination of genetics, environmental, biological, and psychological factors. More students than ever have been going in to see the doctors to get treated for depression today.

Why is depression dangerous and something to take seriously?

• While it is a common illness that often makes you feel helpless and despondent, it can really interfere with your life and make it difficult to work, rest, and eat. When it starts to affect your way of living, then it's time to consider taking action to remediating the illness.
• If left untreated, it can lead to other more severe symptoms and/or suicide.

What are the common symptoms of depression?

Everyone is different, so the symptoms may vary from person to person. How someone deals with depression will also differ greatly. If you’re wondering whether you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please consider the following symptoms on a general scale:

• Feelings of sadness or helplessness
• Fatigue, loss of motivation
• Sleeplesness
• Trouble concentrating
• Change in appetite/weight
• Loss of intrest in social activities
• Slowed thinking or speech
• Thoughts of dying

Of course, we all have our good and bad days, and it’s completely normal to feel one or some of these emotions every now and then. For example, if you’re new to college and just moved away from home, you might feel an increased level of sadness, or might also have a hard time concentrating because you’re thinking about your family. It can be pretty stressful being away from home and having to adjust to a new lifestyle. Keeping these emotions in check and communicating frequently with those you trust about your feelings is the right way to adjust and be healthy. People can always see things more clearly when they aren’t dealing with it directly themselves, so you may be able to get valuable advice from a trustworthy family member or friend.

However, if you feel that you might be feeling one or more of these on a regular basis, then you may want to check into your school’s mental health center and get evaluated. A health care professional will be able to assess and better help you determine what medications you need to take to improve, if any at all, or give more specific advice catered to your symptoms. Many people fail to get checked out because they are in denial or feel embarrassed to do so, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. In this case, it’s also better to get treated while the symptoms are fresh, rather than wait until it’s too late. Everyone has their own insecurities, and this shouldn’t be one of them.

How Do I Know If I’m Depressed?

Again, symptoms are going to vary greatly from person to person, but here are some questions to consider asking yourself:

Does your family have a history of depression?

Depression can be genetic, so if you do have history and are feeling some of the symptoms mentioned above on a severe level, then it may be worthwhile to check into a doctor’s office to get evaluated.

Do you often experience extreme sadness or hopelessness?

Despondence every now and then is completely normal, but if you find that these feelings are overbearing and potentially affecting your day-to-day life, it’s time to seek help.

Have you been resorting to alcohol and drugs to alleviate any negative feelings?

Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs are both not great escapes to relieving any pain or discomfort in feelings. They may be a temporary solution, but that’s about it. They may be a temporary solution, but that’s about it. Spare yourself possible lung cancer and liver damage by getting the proper medications that you need to fight depression as early as possible.

Do you often think about commiting suicide?

Similar to alcohol and drugs, suicide is never the answer. Even though it may seem like people are busy living their lives, you’d be surprised at how people will stop to talk if they see you open up and needing help. So, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to someone trustworthy to share your feelings with. That person can help guide you to the right people to get help before it’s too late. Life is not easy feat for anyone, and if you don’t feel comfortable opening up to a friend or family member, there are always counselors on campus that you can turn to confidentially.

Additional Resources: Depression

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America - Learn more about anxiety and depression, how it affects people, and the measures to take before the condition(s) get worse. Get additional links that are designed for those looking for help and get a beter understanding of depressive mental illness.
• ULifeline - This is an online resource designed for college students to get information on tips for helping friends in crisis and suggestions for developing and sustaining good wellness habits.
• National Institute of Mental Health - Learn more in depth about the symptoms of depression and resources for getting help.
• American College Health Association - Check out the numerous resources available at the ACHA, such as helplines, brochures on depression, and external links for getting help.
• The Jed Foundation - This foundation supports mental health awareness nationally and connects students with health care providers.