My sophomore year, I realized I needed professional help; yet, I was terrified and ashamed to admit it. Only after my roommate informed me that he was attending counseling did I gird myself, take a deep breath and finally go. I’m just going to get it out in the open: it’s okay to admit you need counseling. There’s a strange stigma of shame and embarrassment that people associate with counseling. I, for one, definitely felt that way in the beginning of my counseling journey. My counseling experience has been nothing short of excellent. My counselor listened well and offered encouragement[…]

“I don’t know how we met,” I say, looking at one of my best friends. We’re en route to our dorm, walking together after a meal in the cafeteria. There’s a slight pause and then Hannah responds, “Yeah, I have no idea. It was during orientation at some point.” Ah, yes. Orientation week. I have some very distinct memories of orientation week—sitting in one of the art buildings figuring out my schedule, walking the longest possible way to Hutch in order to buy a book, sitting with my O-group under a tree, and somehow finding and hanging out with the[…]

Let’s admit it. Too many of us let our grades define us. Yes, you know who you are. Believe me, I’m with you. When we get that A, we feel successful. It gives us energy and makes the day so much better. On the contrary, anything less than perfect causes us anxiety and puts a damper on the rest of the week. Recently, I wrote a paper for my Western Civilization II class, which I believed merited a good grade. Unfortunately, my professor thought differently. When he handed back the papers and I saw my grade, I tensed and felt[…]