Finding your classroom, getting your library card, moving into residence, preparing for exams, managing your time, building new relationships and working a part-time job each sound reasonable on their own. But add them up and sometimes university life can start to feel overwhelming.

Going to university is a huge life change – one of the biggest you’ll ever make. So when you start to feel like things aren’t quite right – even if you can’t describe why – don’t wait to ask for help.

MacEwan’s Wellness and Psychological Services (WPS) team offers free services, including single sessions and ongoing counselling, to registered students. They have a wealth of knowledge and can help you make good personal, academic and career decisions.

Here, our counsellors share some common concerns that bring first-year students their way.

1. I feel like I’m stuck on an emotional roller coaster

If you’re yo-yoing from excitement to fear, freedom to loneliness or happiness to worry, you’re not alone. There is a whole host of emotions around being a first-year student, and that’s not all. While you’re managing your first months as a student, you might also be figuring out changes in your relationship with your parents or trying to keep a long-distance relationship alive. If any of these things start to feel like too much, it’s time to reach out for help.

2. I had no idea this was going to be so much work

Moving from high school or a full-time job to university can be a shock. Juggling a university workload and the rest of your life might leave you feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes that’s a result of time management, procrastination or test anxiety, but whatever the root cause, a counsellor can help you figure out what the issues are and how to address them. Navigating the system and finding your way through university is a skill that takes time to learn.

3. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor/engineer/artist/nurse, but now I’m not so sure

Having second thoughts is normal. Just because you’ve known you wanted to be an engineer since you built your first block tower or a nurse after putting a bandage on your baby sister's scraped knee doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind.

It’s not unusual for students to have a big – and sometimes scary – aha moment and realize that maybe the program they’re in isn’t the direction for them to go. There’s no shame in realizing that something isn’t a good fit.

Sometimes expectations and demands from family about getting a certain degree, achieving a certain grade or being on a certain team don’t match with what you want your university experience to be.

Putting everything on the table and exploring it can help.  MacEwan’s counsellors spend a lot of time working with students on relationships and helping them set boundaries and find their own voices as adults.

4. Things aren’t feeling so good, but do I really need to see a counsellor?

Sometimes there’s a fine line between feeling like everything is kind of okay and a full-blown crisis.

If you have a sense that you want to talk to someone, that’s exactly the right time to reach out. Don’t worry about whether or not you should be at WPS – counsellors will talk with you about your concerns and collaborate towards a solution.

5. I think I need to talk to someone, but I can’t stand the thought of people judging me

Nobody needs to know why you’re here. Really. And you’re not alone – many students access counselling every semester.

And counselling services are confidential. That means your parents, professors, partners and friends can’t call and get information about you. You don’t need parental consent if you are over 18 years of age and WPS files are separate from your academic transcripts.

6. I want to appeal a grade, but I have no idea where to start

Counsellors can help you navigate university policy and look at your options and resources around appeals.

7. Okay, I’ve decided I need help. How long am I going to have to wait?

WPS has initial consultations every day of the week – twice on most days – that are short 30- to 40-minute single sessions about your life and concerns. Counsellors will assess what is going on for you, collaborate about next steps, and provide resources.