The vice president of mission and student affairs at St. Norbert College, Father Jay Fostner is an award-winning academic leader. In addition to having written a small chapter about handling student death on a college campus, Father Jay Fostner often handles matters relating to student development.
For many, college life is an exciting journey filled with self-discovery and self-reliance. Unfortunately, this new experience is also rife with potential issues. These can include:
Trouble Sleeping
It’s rare for college students to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night. Because of this, sleeping issues are one of the more common challenges facing college students. To manage sleeping habits, students must keep consistent sleep routines, avoid naps that can mess up the body’s internal clock, and adopt the same sleep routine each night as they prepare for bed.
Homesickness
Students who attend colleges located at least 3 hours away from where they grew up often experience homesickness. These feelings get better the closer students are to home, but most individuals still experience homesickness at some point. Maintaining contact with people from home can help with homesickness, as can professional help.
Social Challenges
At college, many students find that the social scene provokes anxiety, leading them to avoid social situations and isolate themselves. This makes meeting new people and making new friends difficult, and can prevent students from feeling as if they fit in. Getting involved in activities they enjoy helps students overcome this anxiety and maintain a good social life.
Father Jay Fostner 