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Dear Concerned Student,
Thank you for having the courage to voice a concern that many students struggle with. It is indeed confusing to experience the kind of emotional intensity that you describe, only to have it shift into a more "normal" mood for what must seem like no apparent reason. Our experience is that there is always a reason for such an emotional shift, it just may not be easy to discover what that reason is. Certainly, the adjustment to college will often stir up multiple and conflicting feelings related to separation from home and self-esteem, to name a few. However, as you state, if it was just a transitional reaction, then why are you still feeling so bad? The tearfulness you describe could have many meanings. One way to think about this experience, especially if it is an on-going reaction, is that something is indeed troubling you and needs you to pay attention to it in a way that you have not been able to do yet. This is where counseling can be very helpful. Meeting with a counselor in a safe, confidential setting, where you can feel free to share your concerns without the fear of being judged or "labeled", is one way to begin the process of clarifying your personal confusion. By exploring your inner experience in the presence of an understanding and compassionate listener, it is possible to make contact with what troubles you and learn how to work with it in a healing way. If you are willing to consider counseling for yourself, please come by the Counseling & Student Development Center, 200 Campus Life Building, or call 753-1206, to arrange an initial appointment. Most students feel awkward about coming for counseling if they have not done so before. This is a natural reaction when one does not know what to expect in a new situation, especially when it feels so personal. If it would help you to feel more comfortable initially, you might ask your boyfriend to accompany you. By the way, be sure and thank him for encouraging you to get help. He is obviously sensitive to your struggle and wants you to feel better. Take care. We hope to see you soon. Sincerely, Barb Wired |