As the University of Rhode Island wraps up midterms, mental health professionals highlight the importance of utilizing the counseling services on campus.
“I would say my stress level was a nine out of 10,” first-year student Haeli Ji said. “I felt I had been taken away from my social life by spending so much time studying.”
College students are faced with heavy courseloads, causing 75.5% of students to struggle with exam anxiety, according to a recent study conducted by the National Library of Medicine.
“Mental health is the foundational component of academic success and just well-being and flourishing for our students,” John Olereio, executive director for summer sessions, winter J-Term, and strategic initiatives at URI, said.
Stress can sometimes affect other aspects of students’ life besides school. Stress can seep into their relationships, self-care and other activities.
“I’m overwhelmed by the amount of content I have,” first-year student Neila Paridiso said. “It has been affecting my sleep which has made it harder to focus.”
Though stress can sometimes be good, urging students to study, practice or put extra effort in, it can also serve as a gateway to other mental health problems according to Mayo Clinic. Untreated and prolonged stress can turn into depression and anxiety.
“Stress is very normal and it can actually be quite adaptive to be stressed out during midterms and finals,” Olerio said. “Anything that feels a lot more overwhelming and a lot more unmanageable, that’s where you start taking a look at like, maybe I should go get a little bit more help for this professionally.”
URI has several opportunities for students to get help when their stress levels reach extremes. The counseling center and psychological consultation center provide service for depression, anxiety, academic distress and other mental health concerns.
Their services include, but are not limited to, group therapy, one-on-one therapy, referrals, outreach programs and self-assessments. Counselors focus on rewiring that mentality that school is all that students are worth.
“Our students’ identities and worth are not tied to GPA,” Olerio said. “Their worth and their value is way greater than any GPA, what is on any paper and any exam grade that they got.”
Counseling services are open to any students who wish to utilize it. To make an appointment, visit Roosevelt Hall or call the center at (401)-874-2288.
“Counseling services are a great support system overall and it can give you several strategies to help reduce stress and manage time in context to studying,” Ji said.
During any time of stress, sadness, or extremities counseling services are here to help. They also offer 24/7 support through the TELUS Health app.
“My job and my life’s meaning is based on the students at this university,” Olerio said. “I love to help them, there is no shame in coming forward.”
