Resources for Parents
Growing Through Your College Years
College is more than earning a degree. It is also a time of significant personal, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual growth.
During your college years, you may begin developing a clearer sense of who you are, what you value and what you hope to accomplish. You may also experience challenges as you learn to make independent decisions, manage new responsibilities and build meaningful relationships.
Every student develops at a different pace. Some areas of growth may feel natural, while others may require additional time, support and practice.
Areas of Growth During College
Moving From Dependence to Interdependence
College often involves learning how to make decisions and manage responsibilities more independently.
You may be learning to:
- Live away from family and familiar surroundings
- Balance independence with healthy connections
- Ask for help while taking responsibility for your choices
- Manage homesickness and other transition-related emotions
- Develop a changing adult relationship with parents and family members
Becoming independent does not mean that you must handle everything alone. Healthy adulthood includes knowing when to seek guidance, support and encouragement.
Understanding and Managing Emotions
College life can bring many emotions, including excitement, uncertainty, loneliness, frustration, disappointment and hope.
Emotional growth includes learning to:
- Recognize and name your emotions
- Express feelings in healthy and appropriate ways
- Respond rather than react during stressful situations
- Cope with disappointment and change
- Develop healthy strategies for managing stress
- Seek support when emotions become overwhelming
Learning to manage emotions does not mean ignoring them. It means understanding what you are experiencing and responding with wisdom and self-compassion.
Discovering Your Purpose
College provides opportunities to explore your interests, abilities, values and sense of calling.
You may begin to:
- Explore possible majors and careers
- Identify your strengths and interests
- Develop academic and professional skills
- Gain experience through employment, service, ministry or internships
- Consider how your faith and values influence your decisions
- Create goals for your education, career and personal life
It is normal for your plans to change as you learn more about yourself and the opportunities available to you.
Building Meaningful Relationships
College is an opportunity to form new friendships and develop stronger interpersonal skills.
Healthy relationships involve:
- Communicating openly and respectfully
- Listening with empathy
- Appreciating differences
- Establishing and respecting boundaries
- Resolving conflict constructively
- Developing trust and emotional intimacy
- Recognizing when a relationship may be unhealthy
Meaningful relationships take time. Feeling lonely or unsure during a period of transition does not mean that you have failed.
Developing Competence and Confidence
Throughout college, you will have opportunities to grow in several important areas.
Academic and Intellectual Development
- Strengthening study and time-management skills
- Thinking critically
- Communicating ideas effectively
- Accepting constructive feedback
- Learning from mistakes and setbacks
Emotional and Social Development
- Developing self-confidence
- Adjusting to change
- Managing conflict
- Working effectively with others
- Practicing resilience during difficult experiences
Personal Wellness
- Caring for your physical and mental health
- Getting adequate sleep
- Eating regularly and staying active
- Balancing academics, work, relationships and recreation
- Making time for rest, worship and spiritual renewal
Wellness does not require perfect balance every day. It involves noticing what you need and making intentional adjustments.
Developing Values and Integrity
College may challenge you to examine what you believe and how your beliefs influence your choices.
Developing integrity includes:
- Clarifying your personal values
- Exploring and strengthening your spiritual beliefs
- Considering ethical questions
- Respecting the beliefs and experiences of others
- Taking responsibility for your decisions
- Aligning your behavior with your values
Growth sometimes involves asking difficult questions. Honest reflection can help you develop a faith and value system that is thoughtful, personal and meaningful.
When College Feels Difficult
Personal growth is rarely a straight path. There may be times when you feel confused, discouraged, lonely or overwhelmed.
Consider reaching out for support when you experience:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety or irritability
- Difficulty sleeping, eating or concentrating
- Academic stress or loss of motivation
- Homesickness or difficulty adjusting
- Relationship or family concerns
- Grief, loss or major life changes
- Questions about identity, purpose or faith
- Feelings that are interfering with daily life
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a healthy and responsible step toward caring for yourself.
The Counseling & Testing Center Is Here for You
The 星空无限传媒 Counseling & Testing Center provides a warm, accepting and confidential environment where students can receive support for personal, emotional, relational, academic and spiritual concerns.
Counseling and consultation services are available to registered 星空无限传媒 students and their spouses.
Counseling & Testing Center
Bell Hall, Suite 123
4195 Administration Drive
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
Phone: 269-471-3470
Email: ctcenter@andrews.edu
Learn About Counseling Services
Explore Prevention and Wellness Resources
Contact the Counseling & Testing Center
After completing the online registration packet, please call the Counseling & Testing Center at 269-471-3470 or visit Bell Hall, Suite 123, to schedule your first appointment.
Online registrations are reviewed only during office hours and are not monitored continuously. If you are experiencing an immediate emergency, call 911 or the 星空无限传媒 Office of Campus Safety at 269-471-3321.
Additional Campus and Community Resources to Consider:
Campus Safety: 269-471-3321
University Student Intervention Team (USIT): 269-471-3321; usit@andrews.edu
Dean for Student Life: 269-471-3215
Student Success Center: 269-471-6096
Campus Ministries: 269-471-3211; engagefaith@andrews.edu
University Medical Specialties: 269-473-2222
: 269-982-8640
星空无限传媒 Sexual Misconduct Policy
(Adventist Community Services): 269-471-7411
24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 800-336-0341
We'll be posting links to current research, blogs, videos, inspirational quotes and updates on prevention and wellness campus events on our .
- Phone: 269-471-3470
- Email: ctcenter@andrews.edu