Personal and Family Issues
Having personal or family issues?
Successful students understand that they need support from others. Do not be afraid to reach out and talk to someone. We all deal with stress very differently, talking to someone about it may support you in releasing some of the burden or stress you are feeling.
Strategies in dealing with personal issues:
• Talk to your Resident Advisor (RAs)
• Call/text a friend from back home
• Visit a Peer Educator at your school. Peer Educators are current UC Merced students who have gone through what you might be going through and can provide you great study strategies
o NS Academic Advising Mentors
• Visit your Academic Advisor. Advisors can also discuss strategies and provide alternatives tools to be successful at UC Merced.
• Visit Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Therapists and Psychologists are available to talk and provide insights to dealing with stress
Strategies in dealing with family issues:
• Don’t shy away from difficult conversations. It is ok to let your family know that notifying you about family drama is not helping the stress brought on by college life. Learn to set those boundaries with your family early on.
• Don’t be afraid to fail. College is very different than high school. Make time to sit down with family members and explain the difference in rigor between high school assignments and college work. An “A” in high school might transfer to a “B” in college.
• Talk to your parents about how to talk to you. Explain to your parents that their responsibility it to provide a balance between being a part of your college dream and helping you understand the reality of this process. Teaching parents how to listen to our needs is an essential part of your success.
• Define success in your terms. Identify what success means to you. For some this simply means happiness, which only you can define. Being independent allows you to articulate and identify how you wish to become successful by creating your own goals and plans for the future. With the support of your parents, friends and university affiliates you can recreate your definition of success.
For more information, visit: NACAC
