features
academic, social, physical health, and
emotional health concerns is healthy.
TIP 4: Connect with your support
networks
Check in and communicate with your
existing support system. They can be
family, friends, or mentors who can
keep you grounded, provide guidance,
and give caring support. Identify coping
strategies that work for you. For example,
exercise, taking walks, mediation, and
engaging in breathing techniques.
Practice your coping strategies. If you
would like to learn more about coping
strategies, check in with the counselling
centre on campus. There are caring
professionals who can provide you
with more information and support.
Remember, it is important to make time
for self-care and to reach out to others if
you would like assistance.
may want to embrace their growing
independence and make their own
decisions. Give them room to explore
but also be ready with an open mind and
an open heart when they ask for help or
when they share their experiences with
you. Let them know you are there for
them, listen, and provide them with your
caring guidance and support.
Lillian Chiang PHD is a licensed
counselling psychologist who has worked
at university counselling centres, including
University of California, Berkeley, for many
years. She can be contacted through
Central Health Medical Practice.
www.centralhealth.com.hk
TIP 5: Be kind to yourself
Transitioning to college can be a thrilling
time but there can be college “growing
pains”. Try not to put too much pressure
on yourself by having unrealistically high
expectations of what your university life
should be like. Take a moment to reflect
on the positives and affirm rather than
criticise yourself. Having self-compassion
can have strong positive effects on your
well-being as a first year university student.
A Note to Parents
In closing, it is important to recognise
that as college-bound teens go
through college transition changes and
adjustment, parents also can experience
their own change and adjustment when
their children enter university.
Throughout childhood and
adolescence, you the parents/caregivers
have been a constant companion
to your university-bound teens. You
nurtured, taught, and comforted. Now
it is time for them to discover their own
paths as they transition into adulthood.
While your children are at university,
you may not always be there to shield,
guide, or soothe them when they
struggle or face challenges. They may
reach out to you at certain times or they
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