It’s October. The time of year when the leaves fully change, snow may begin to fall, the sun starts to set earlier, and you may begin to question whether you really belong on campus. Let me assure you that, you are not alone in feeling this way and yes, you most certainly belong.
As we enter the halfway point of the semester, it is not unusual for students, especially first-year students, to feel overwhelmed, whether by coursework, social activities, roommate dynamics or any number of other issues. Everyone experiences these feelings at one time or another and it is important for you to know it is okay to feel this way, and we have programs on campus designed to help you.
It is important to remember to stay hydrated, eat well, get plenty of exercise and refrain from using alcohol. Often, however, those recommendations don’t get to the heart of the issue.
I encourage you to reach out to the programs that we have on campus to help you. If feeling overwhelmed is related to a specific course or courses, don’t wait until finals to get assistance. Take advantage of your professors’ office hours, make use of tutoring services - whether in your residence hall or in the department - or seek out or start your own study group. Often, many students are experiencing the same frustration or having similar problems with course concepts. Please take advantage of the various meeting spaces we have on campus and establish or join a community where you can help and be helped by fellow students.
If you don’t feel that office hours or a study group will help you address your concerns, then we have additional resources available on campus. If you are unsure about what type of service you may need, please visit our Student Support and Case Management website via http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/sscm and make an appointment. Additional services are listed via http://www.colorado.edu/today/2016/10/05/campus-support-resources and I encourage anyone who feels they need support to contact the appropriate office for assistance. The individuals working in each of these offices are dedicated to providing you with the information and help you need to be successful.
If you remain unconvinced that there are people out there willing to help, please contact my office directly at vcaa@colorado.edu, and we will do what we can to connect you with the services available on campus. As noted in our Creed, it is incumbent on all of us to “contribute to the greater good of this community” and that means offering assistance where needed. Above all, I want you to know that you are not alone, and we would not have admitted you as a student if we didn’t feel you could be successful.
Russell Moore,
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
