College Transition Mental Health Tips for Students and Parents

Key takeaways

• Easing the Transition to College for Students with Learning Disabilities

Easing the Transition to College for Students with Learning Disabilities

Regardless of whether or not you have a learning disability, succeeding academically in college is tough, especially for freshmen. Increased academic pressure, new distractions, combined with less routine and support it isn’t exactly a recipe for success. Just as soon as you think you have a good handle on things one semester, another arrives with a new set of challenges, tools, and opportunities for you to deal with.

As someone who does have a learning disability, I can appreciate the added barriers and expectations that come with an IEP or 504 Plan. In high school, you’ve grown up with people who know you, and asking to leave the room for a test isn’t awkward. Furthermore, there’s usually someone appointed to you who checks-in about how things are going and proactively offers help.

In college, no one knows you or reaches out to you offering help. Instead, your academic success relies heavily on your ability to be proactive, and reach out for help. So much so, it often starts before you even get to campus. If you’re hoping to apply to accommodations when classes start, you might want to think again and follow these steps for coordinating services.

If your existing IEP or 504 plan is not enough, you have changes you would like to make to it, or have never had a plan, schedule an appointment with your prescriber. Be sure to clarify what accommodations you need for school, such as extra testing time or testing in a separate room.

Find a spot no one else knows about to study in. A pocket of the library, a library off-campus, or on the other side of the city that you won’t run into anyone at so you can actually focus.

Practical next steps

For many people, college transition mental health is easier to address when the next step is small and specific. Start by naming what has changed, noticing what helps even a little, and choosing one supportive action you can repeat this week.

Helpful steps may include writing down symptoms or patterns, talking with a trusted person, adjusting sleep or daily routines, reducing avoidable stressors, and scheduling therapy when concerns keep returning or start interfering with daily life.

When to reach out

If symptoms are affecting relationships, work, school, sleep, or daily routines, professional support can help you sort through what is happening and choose a realistic next step.

MHCS provides therapy and mental health support for individuals, couples, families, teens, and adults.