Help Them Cope on
CAMPUS
Leaving home for college can be difficult for both students and parents.
Two local experts provide tips for dealing with anxiety, stress and
ABy Natasha Boschetti
ugust marks a new
depression related to this milestone.
beginning for firstyear
college students
and their parents,
especially if they’re
moving away to other
states or cities and out of the comfort
of home. With these new beginnings
come new challenges.
Anxiety is the No. 1 cause for
concern at college counseling services,
26 Central Florida Lifestyle | August 2019
the Association for University
and College Counseling Center Directors
found in a 2018 survey. For
some first-year college students, being
away from home can be exciting
but overwhelming. Balancing
school, work, health and a social life
can take a toll on their mental health.
“College is a focal point of
stress,” Dr. Andrew Pleener, a psychiatrist
located in Windermere,
says. “It has been a very critical point
in learning how to cope or not cope.”
Coping with Anxiety
As students leave the safety net
of home, it’s important for them to
understand how to handle the anxiety,
pressure and stress that college
brings. University of Central Florida’s
Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS) reported that from