This article is the first in a three-part series sponsored by Alkermes, focused on supporting young adult students and their community as they navigate the transition to college. Mental health is a key part of that transition, and support is available.

Watch for parts 2 & 3 in the series coming later this semester!

Transitioning to college can be a tough time for students. Between a major change in environment, new schedules, more freedom, and infinite choices, both in and out of the classroom, the pressure of the college experience can be intense and overwhelming for young adults, many of whom are on their own for the first time. This transition marks a major change in a student’s life; the stakes are high, and the struggle is real. In fact, approximately 20% of college freshmen leave school before their sophomore year.¹

As the new school year and academic experience begin, the focus of students and their loved ones likely turns from getting into college to dorm room shopping, memorizing a new semester’s schedule, getting involved in extra-curricular activities and making new friends, among many other things. While orientation often includes discussions about physical health and safety on campus, it’s critical not to forget (or ignore) mental health and wellness during this time of immense change.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health International College Student Initiative—a study that surveyed students from 19 colleges in eight countries—approximately 35% of college freshmen report symptoms consistent with a diagnosable mental health disorder,² and this transition can make symptoms even more apparent.³ In fact, mental health challenges among the collegiate population are common and, in many cases, increasing.³ Though the causes for these challenges, and subsequent serious mental illness diagnoses for some, are unknown, long-term mental illnesses often first appear during the teenage years or early 20s, coinciding with a student’s college years.^4,5

During such a crucial time of transition and development for a young adult, there are several things to keep in mind when it comes to mental health:

• Start talking. Open lines of communication. Support often comes in the form of engagement and conversation. It’s not always easy to start, but it’s essential to health and well-being. Start with asking a question and see where the conversation goes.^6,7,8

• Create positive habits. Developing positive habits can make this transition easier. Staying organized by keeping track of schedules and to-dos, prioritizing sleep, seeking healthy food options, staying physically active or adopting an app-based mindfulness practice can be helpful choices that impact mental health. Small changes can make a big difference! ^6,8,9

• Normalize the experience. Remember that these challenges are to be expected – the transition to college isn’t easy. And it’s ok for you or someone you care about to experience a few bumps along the road.^3,6,7

• Access resources on campus. Understand what is available at school and take advantage of all that is provided. Are there counseling services or a student health office that can assist? What about fitness and recreation facilities or a tutoring center that could help a student adjust to the amount of school work in college? ^6,8

• Speak to a doctor. A primary care physician or on-campus clinic is a great place to start – they’ve had this conversation countless times before! And if they can’t provide the support needed, they can suggest helpful resources. ^3,6,8

Transitioning to college is a very challenging time for students and their loved ones, and the journey isn’t always an easy one to navigate. With so many changes taking place, it’s important to actively monitor mental health and wellness. Early identification and intervention can make a difference in a young adult’s life as they navigate mental health challenges or a diagnosis. Know what to look for and speak up. Support is available.

If you are noticing differences in behavior and are concerned, consider reaching out to a trusted medical professional in your area or visit one of the following resources for additional information: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or Mental Health America (MHA).

The next article in the 3-part series will discuss some common behaviors and symptoms of mental health challenges that may arise during the transition to college. The final piece will explore the importance of early intervention and ways to navigate support when a mental health diagnosis has been received.

This is intended as informational only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

References

¹ U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Spring 2018, Fall Enrollment component; and Fall 2016, Institutional Characteristics component. Digest of Education Statistics 2018, 326.30.

² Auerbach, R. (2018). WHO World Mental Health Surveys International College Student Project: Prevalence and Distribution of Mental Disorders.

³ Pedrelli P, Nyer M, Yeung A, Zulauf C, Wilens T. College Students: Mental Health Problems and Treatment Considerations. Acad Psychiatry. 2015;39(5):503–511. doi:10.1007/s40596-014-0205-9

⁴ Gogtay N, Vyas NS, Testa R, Wood SJ, Pantelis C. Age of onset of schizophrenia: perspectives from structural neuroimaging studies. Schizophr Bull. 2011;37(3):504–513. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbr030

⁵ American College Health Association. American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II: Reference Group. Executive Summary Spring 2018. Silver Spring, MD: American College. Health Association; 2018.

⁶ Nami.org. (2019). Depression. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Support.

⁷ Nami.org. (2019). Maintaining a Healthy Relationship. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers/Maintaining-a-Healthy-Relationship.

⁸ Nami.org. (2019). Managing a Mental Health Condition in College. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/Managing-a-Mental-Health-Condition-in-College.

⁹ Nami.org. (2019). Living with a Mental Health Condition. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition.

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SAN FRANCISCO – October 9, 2019 – Quizlet, the largest user-generated consumer learning platform in the US, announced new features today that will make studying easier and more fun as students begin to prepare for the first test days of the school year.

Better grades are just a swipe away thanks to swipe flashcards on Quizlet’s free iOS and Android apps. This new feature allows students to quickly determine material they already know and focus on what they don’t — all through a fun and easy-to-use swipe interface. Only available on Quizlet’s mobile apps, swipe flashcards are helping students learn more content more quickly. Check out how the swipe studying feature works here.

Creating custom study sets on Quizlet is now easier and more efficient thanks to new advanced content creation features. Quizlet’s new smart scanning tool lets users instantly create study sets by scanning in their notes with their phone or tablet. New rich text formatting options allow users to highlight main ideas, underline key concepts and bold important terms to study with more focus. These advanced features help break down dense information, emphasize important material and better organize comprehensive study sets. Smart scanning and rich text content creation features are available to Quizlet Plus and Quizlet Teacher subscribers.

“With these new features, Quizlet is making studying more efficient and customizable to give students even more confidence as they prepare to ace their tests this year,” said Matthew Glotzbach, CEO of Quizlet. “92% of our users already say that Quizlet helps them get better grades, but we’re always trying to find new ways to help students get those consistent wins and feel successful in their learning journey.”

Since launching in 2005, Quizlet has steadily grown year-over-year and is used by students and teachers in 130 countries around the globe. Quizlet users create hundreds of thousands of study sets daily and the platform currently hosts more than 350 million user-generated study sets and 10.6 billion terms. Available on both desktop and mobile, Quizlet reaches over 50 million active users each month.

“Our features enable students to better express what they’re learning and enjoy the study experience, which is a goal that has been in Quizlet’s DNA from the very beginning,” said Andrew Sutherland, founder and CTO of Quizlet. “Today, technology has brought Quizlet to reach new levels of accessibility and ease for students to learn to the fullest.”

About Quizlet
Quizlet is used by two in three high school students and one in two college students – and a total of over 50 million people each month. Quizlet is the largest user-generated consumer learning platform in the US, using activities and games to help students practice and master what they’re learning. Quizlet’s learning activities help people effectively study over time so that they can master foundational information and retain it long-term. With more than 350 million user-created study sets currently available, students and teachers can find content from others or create their own. Quizlet supplements existing modes of learning, enabling students to engage with any material in the ways they learn best and providing a knowledge base for teachers to share content with one another. The company offers a combination of free and paid subscriptions for both students and teachers that enable further customization.

Quizlet was founded in 2005 by then-high-school-student Andrew Sutherland to study for a French exam. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California and is backed by Icon Ventures, Union Square Ventures and Costanoa Ventures. For more information, please visit www.quizlet.com.

Contact
Loretta Stevens
Quizlet
loretta.stevens@quizlet.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, is now accepting applications for its Dissertation Fellowship Program. Ten fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded.

Introduced in 2014, the program is designed to support doctoral candidates who are writing their dissertations. To be eligible, applicants must be an active Phi Kappa Phi member in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. All pre-dissertation requirements should be met by the Nov. 30 deadline including approval of the dissertation proposal.

“I am honored to be one of the 2019 Dissertation Fellowship recipients. The Phi Kappa Phi honor society does a great service to our country by empowering and encouraging graduate students committed to the betterment of our society,” said Elizabeth Bell, a 2019 Dissertation Fellow. “Graduate school can be challenging financially and mentally for many students, and it’s programs like this that make it possible for us to succeed in our mission of seeking truth and speaking truth to power.”

The selection process for a dissertation fellowship examines how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, the significance of original research, and endorsement by the dissertation chair. Recipients will receive $10,000 to apply toward 12 months of dissertation writing.

The dissertation fellowships are part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award programs, which give nearly $1 million each year to outstanding members through graduate fellowships, study abroad grants, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

The deadline to submit an application for a dissertation fellowship is Nov. 30, 2019, and recipients will be notified by March 1, 2020. For full eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

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Media Contact
Alyssa Perez
Communications Director
aperez@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777