If you're lucky, the transition into university life can be pretty seamless, but most people experience a few bumps along the way.
Between juggling classes, getting good grades and, for some, learning to navigate living alone, it’s easy to forget little things, like how to take care of yourself.
Studying, essay writing and parties can quickly take precedence over healthy eating, exercise and sleep.
This can tax students both mentally and physically.
To help students keep healthy, Carleton Health and Counselling Services has student-run peers and wellness representatives who use campus events and residence to encourage healthy living.
They also offer “Student Health 101,” an online guide to staying healthy.
Maureen Murdock, director of Health and Counselling Services, said the best way to deal with stress and minor illnesses, such as the flu and colds, is to prioritize sleep, healthy eating and exercise.
“Take advantage of the on-campus athletics facilities,” she says.
However, that may not always be enough.
Murdock said anxiety, depression, and family and relationship issues can hit students the hardest.
“Issues that affect students while at university tend to be a mix of pre-existing conditions. For example, bullying at school, past love relationships, etc., and issues that arise out of the university experience such as homesickness, academic concerns, new relationships,” she said.
She said the number of students seeking out counselling in recent years has increased slightly to about 1,000 per year.
Most students who feel they need counselling services use on-campus counselling, since “off-campus counselling is usually not an option for cost reasons,” Murdock said.
Second-year communications and human rights student Tim Wong said he didn’t need Carleton counselling services, but that he dealt with anxiety throughout his first year.
He said it was due to the drastic change from high school to university, his increased responsibilities and his mother’s health problems.
To cope, Wong said he made use of the university’s athletic facilities.
“It was a stress reliever,” Wong said.
For students who would like more advice tailored to their specific problems, on-campus counselling is not only covered by tuition fees but also easily accessible.
Murdock said maybe half of the students attending counselling are in their first year, particularly students in residence.
Whether it’s a pre-existing issue or something recent, students have access to Carleton athletic services, health and counselling services, brochures located in Commons and information available online.