Advice for New University Students
As hundreds of thousands of young people across the nation are excited about starting a university for the first time, clinical psychologists of Psychological Development and Counseling Center of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) provided some valuable tips that would ease and expedite the adjustment period. Clinical Psychologists Merve Minkari Tunçay and Nilay Uğurlu Öztürk stated that with a university life a new period started where students rediscover themselves. The clinical psychologists said, “Some students may experience stress, anxiety, withdrawal during the transition period. They should allow some time for themselves to overcome these feelings in a short time, engage in social activities, and discover new environments they feel they belong to.”
As the countdown for 2019-2020 academic year started, young people who are going to start university for the first time, are almost done with their preparations. Many of them will go to another city to study and start a new chapter in their lives. Clinical Psychologists Merve Minkari Tunçay and Nilay Uğurlu Öztürk from IUE Psychological Development and Counseling Center gave some advice on what they should be doing to quickly adjust to their new lives.
“Adjustment period is different for everyone”
Merve Minkari Tunçay, who pointed that university life was a period when individual transitions into adulthood, discovers him/herself and self improves academically and socially, said, “During transition periods people may experience worry, stress, intense sorrow, withdrawal, etc. Sometimes people may also feel more motivated, happy, excited, and energetic. Such feelings may change throughout the day. Adjustment period is experienced differently by everyone and that is very normal. While adjustment period may last shorter for some people, it may last longer for others. Students need to discover the city and campus they are at. They need to find new environments where they feel comfortable. Talking to people they know and trust and getting social support will make them feel good about themselves.”
“Relationship with yourself is also important”
Nilay Uğurlu Öztürk, who said that it was totally acceptable for students not to know much about their university, said, “When you go through changes in your life, adopting new routines eases the adjustment period. They should do activities on specific days and times that will make them feel good about themselves. Taking a walk in the mornings may be a good example to this. Relationship with yourself is just as important as with others. Therefore, please take care of yourself, eating, sleeping and exercising habits. Engaging in social activities, discovering the clubs at the University, taking steps forward to develop new skills also ease the adjustment period. If students feel they will have to work hard to adjust, they should get help from an expert. Mentoring (guidance) services at the University are also important in terms of easing the adjustment process. For example, at our university, newcomers get information from trusted people and get experienced in a short time, thus completing the adjustment period quickly.”
TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
1) Set aside time to get settled in. You need time to adjust to your new environment. While adjustment period may last shorter for some people, it may last longer for others.
2) Discover the city, the campus. Try to find new environments where you belong and feel comfortable.
3) Talking to people you know and trust and getting social support will make you feel good about yourself.
4) It is totally acceptable not to know much about your university. You may get help from the old students.
5) Do activities on specific days and times that will make you feel good about yourself. For example, taking a walk in the mornings.
6) Relationship with yourself is just as important as with others. Therefore, please take care of yourself, eating, sleeping and exercising habits.
7) Discovering the clubs at the University, taking steps forward to develop new skills also ease the adjustment period.
8) Finally, please do not hesitate to get help from an expert if you feel you will have to work hard to adjust.
