Senior Year of College: Why This "Exciting" Year Can Feel So Overwhelming
Senior year is supposed to be exciting, but for many college students it can feel overwhelming. Between the pressure of finding a job, graduating, saying goodbye to friends, and figuring out what's next, it's common to feel anxious and uncertain. Learn why senior year can be one of the most emotionally challenging years of college—and discover practical strategies, including self-compassion and therapy, to help navigate this major life transition with confidence.
Why Junior Year of College Feels So Stressful (And What to Do About It)
Junior year is when the future suddenly starts feeling real. Internships, career decisions, graduate school, and changing friendships can make this year one of the most stressful in college. If you're feeling overwhelmed or like everyone else has it figured out, you're not alone—and there are ways to navigate the uncertainty with confidence.
Sophomore Year of College: Common Challenges, Stress, and How to Thrive
Freshman year isn't the only challenging year of college. Sophomore year often brings uncertainty about majors, friendships, identity, and the future. Learn why so many second-year students struggle—and why these challenges are a normal part of growth.
Freshman Year of College: 10 Common Stressors (and How to Cope With Them)
Freshman year of college is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. From homesickness and roommate conflicts to social anxiety, academic pressure, and learning to live independently, the transition is rarely as seamless as social media makes it seem. In this post, therapist Dayna Stein, LCSW, shares ten common challenges first-year college students face, along with practical strategies to build resilience, manage stress, and adjust with confidence. Whether you're a student preparing for college or a parent supporting your child, you'll find reassurance that feeling uncomfortable is a normal part of growth—and that you don't have to navigate it alone.
The Most Common Mental Health Challenges in Each Year of College
College brings new challenges every year—from homesickness and making friends as a freshman to career uncertainty as a senior. As a therapist who works often with UVM students, I've seen how the stressors evolve throughout college and how therapy can help students build confidence, manage anxiety, and navigate each stage with greater resilience. Learn about the most common mental health challenges students face during each year of college and discover that they don't have to face them alone.
Am I the Only One?: Common Thoughts College Students Have About Friendships, Loneliness, and the Future
Do you feel like everyone else has close friends and their future figured out? Learn why so many college students quietly struggle with loneliness, friendship, and career uncertainty—and why you're far from the only one.
Sitting With the Unknown: A College Student’s Guide to Coping With Uncertainty
Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty in college? Learn practical strategies to cope with anxiety about your major, career, friendships, and the future so you can move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
High-Functioning Anxiety in College: You Look Fine but Feel REALLY Overwhelmed
You’re getting good grades, attending classes, socializing and people describe you as “on top of things. But, inside you feel constantly tense, overthink everything, and maybe are starting to feel blue. If this resonates, you are experiencing high-functioning anxiety in college. Anxiety has long been the most common mental health diagnosis for college students, and recent external factors like a troubling economy, wars, the rise of AI, and environmental concerns create even more distress.