There’s no doubt about it: college can be stressful. Between classes, part-time jobs, and maintaining a social life, there’s a lot going on. It’s easy to forget the many resources your college offers. Most schools offer a variety of campus resources to help students with various aspects of the college experience. And the best part? They’re usually free! Never again in your life will you have access to so many resources in one location. That’s why you should take full advantage of them while you can. Take the time to research which campus resources are available and how they can specifically benefit you and your education. Below are five common campus resources you should start using right away if you don’t already.
1. The writing center
Thriving college students have a secret: they spend a lot of time in the writing center! If you’re struggling with college-level writing or want to hone your skills, the writing center is the perfect place to go. You’ll find students and professionals there who want to help you become a better writer. They’re readily available to assist you with research papers and other assignments. A lot of writing centers even offer private tutors. If that’s something that interests you, ask your writing center if they can connect you with a tutor. There’s no need to feel like you have to struggle through every assignment by yourself. The writing center is an incredible campus resource you have at your fingertips. Even if you’re an excellent writer, it’s still good to have a second set of eyes. A fellow writer can edit your work and offer suggestions on how to improve it. And if you’re a really good writer, you might even be able to pick up a part-time job at your college writing center!
Related: Writing Center 101: Boost Your Skills With This Campus Resource
2. The career center
No college is complete without a career center. After all, the whole point of college is to prepare you for the workforce. Still, this is another campus resource that students don’t utilize enough. If you’re getting ready to graduate but have no clue what you’re going to do when you get out, schedule an appointment! The career center can help you find job opportunities and assist you with your résumé. They might even connect you with alumni working in your field who can give you tips on breaking into the industry. Don’t feel like you have to wait until your senior year to tap into this resource either. In fact, some might argue that it’s more valuable for first-year students. Why? There’s no better time than freshman year to start thinking about the type of work you want to do after college. If you plan to work while you’re in school, the career office can also help you find a part-time gig. The career center is also a fantastic place to prepare for interviews. If you’re worried about your interviewing skills, they’ll give you advice and run through mock interviews to help you get ready.
3. The health center
Everyone gets sick at some point. No matter how much you exercise or how healthy your diet is, you’re going to deal with illness at some point during your four (or more) years at college. When you do happen to get sick (or injured), look into the health center on campus. Oftentimes they have better prices than off-campus clinics. You should also ask whether or not they offer free health and wellness visits. Many of them do, so it’s a great resource to take advantage of. What’s more, some colleges also offer women’s clinics, which help girls stay healthy during college. If you can’t get back home to see your primary physician, it’s a great way to see a professional, experienced health care provider.
Related: 10 Daily Actions to Foster a Healthy Lifestyle in College
4. The counseling center
College is a time of ups and downs. As a student, not only are you trying to keep up with your studies but manage your personal life as well. Sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to. This is why campus counseling centers exist. They’re typically free for students, and you can be sure that anything you discuss with your counselor is confidential. It’s a great resource for any student who needs a safe environment in which to open up about their feelings. These centers usually offer individual, group, and couples counseling services. No matter what you’re going through, they’re available to help (or connect you with another professional). If you’re interested in a workshop, you should inquire about them. Depending on your school, there may be any number of classes offered through the counseling center. And even if you don’t feel the need for counseling, it’s comforting to know there’s a place you can go when school, life, and relationships get overwhelming.
5. The spiritual life office
No matter which religion you practice, there are most certainly other people on campus who do the same. The spiritual life office is the place to go if you want to connect with those folks. If it’s important for you to keep up with daily rituals during school, pop by this office. They’ll point you toward religious institutions and places of worship in the area both on and off campus. They’ll also have information about volunteer opportunities that might interest you. If religion and spirituality give your life meaning, don’t let college distract you from practicing. The spiritual life center will help you find the resources you need to feel at home in a university setting.
Related: How to Maintain a Deep Connection to Your Faith in College
Every college campus has a boatload of resources designed to help students through school. If you’re not already utilizing them, you should be! Of course, they won’t all be relevant to you, but it’s still wise to be aware of them. Knowing where to find each center will help you become more familiar with your school’s campus. If a friend should ask where to find a particular campus service, you can point them in the right direction. Using these services can help you grow as a student and a person. Plus, they can teach you a lot of valuable skills and information to use in the future. Make use of the many benefits and rewards you can find using campus resources!
Speaking of resources, you should be using the CollegeXpress downloadable resources to help you in your college search!
