Facing The Campus World: Why Freshmen Mental Health Should Be a priority?

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Abstract

This essay discusses the importance of freshmen mental health as a priority in higher education policy, given the enormous challenges they face during the transition to college, such as academic pressures, social difficulties, and financial problems. These issues can lead to mental health disorders such as stress, anxiety and depression, which risk lowering their academic performance and quality of life. Based on evidence and expert views, this essay argues that mental health support, through counseling services, soft skills training, and an inclusive campus environment, can improve students' academic success and well-being. The essay concludes that educational policies that prioritize freshmen mental health will have long-term positive impacts on both individuals and society.

Introduction

Menurut Hutasuhut, D. H., Surbakti, K. U. N. A., & … (2024). The mental health of freshmen plays an important role in determining their success in higher education. The transition from high school to college brings many changes that can be challenging, academically, socially and emotionally. At the university level, freshmen are faced with higher academic demands, more independent time management, and often heavier expectations. They also have to adapt to a new social environment, meet a wide variety of individuals, and deal with the emotional stress of these changes. If new students have good mental health, they will find it easier to focus on their studies, complete assignments well, and maintain a balance between academic and personal life. Conversely, mental health disorders such as anxiety, excessive stress, and depression can interfere with their concentration, motivation, and ability to absorb information and perform academically. The impact of these untreated mental health issues will greatly affect the continuity of their education. Therefore, prioritizing the mental health of new students should be a major concern in higher education policy to support their academic success.

In addition to impacting academic performance, poor mental health also affects the sustainability of a new student's education. Many students feel overwhelmed by the changes that come after they enter university, such as a heavier academic load, difficulty adapting to a new social environment, and financial problems that often become an additional pressure. Without the right support, these problems can lead to despair, which in turn leads to the phenomenon of dropouts, or students who decide to stop studying. Menurut Indirasari, D. T. (n.d.) this phenomenon is not only detrimental to the individual student, who loses the opportunity to develop their potential, but it also negatively impacts the educational institution, which loses the reputation and contributions of students who could have completed their education. Therefore, campuses should provide various forms of support for new students, such as counseling services, orientation programs that help them adapt to campus life, and an inclusive and supportive community. This support is essential so that students can manage the various pressures they face and can complete their education well.

More than just supporting academic achievement, attention to students' mental health also has a major impact on their overall quality of life. Mentally healthy students tend to have higher levels of happiness, more self-confidence, and are able to establish more positive social relationships with friends, lecturers, and family. They are better prepared to face challenges in the working world after graduation, and are better able to plan and pursue their life goals more effectively. Mentally healthy students are also more resilient in dealing with stress and conflicts that occur in daily life on campus. By making mental health a priority, campuses not only help students in facing academic challenges, but also prepare them to be productive individuals, have positive contributions to society, and be able to adapt well in the workforce after completing higher education. Therefore, efforts to support the mental health of new students have far-reaching long-term impacts, not only for the students themselves, but also for the social, economic development and quality of future generations (Fitroni, M. A., & Supriyanto, A. 2020).

Discussion

In this part of the discussion, we will discuss the various challenges faced by freshmen during their transition to college. The significant changes in their academic, social and emotional lives are often a source of stress that can affect their mental health. By understanding the key challenges faced by freshmen, we can more easily identify factors that risk reducing their quality of life and academic success. This discussion aims to delve deeper into the role of each challenge, as well as the impact it can have if not properly addressed. It will also discuss how appropriate strategies can help freshmen overcome these difficulties and reach their full potential in a more supportive campus environment (Alvara Research Center, 2022).

Challenges faced by new students

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1. Academic Pressure

The learning system in higher education is very different compared to the system in high school. At university, new students are expected to have more independent learning skills and manage their time effectively. They must be able to meet higher academic demands, such as completing assignments within a limited time, taking more complex exams, and maintaining consistent achievement. According to Hutasushut et al. (2024), new students often feel overwhelmed by the ever-increasing task load and the increasing expectations of their lecturers and families. This academic pressure can trigger feelings of excessive stress, protracted anxiety, and even depression, as they feel unable to meet the standards that have been set. The impact of this academic pressure is not only limited to reducing students' quality of life, but can also affect their performance in various aspects of daily life.

2. Social and Cultural Adjustment

In addition to academic challenges, new students must also face changes in their social environment. They have to build a new network of friends and adjust to a campus culture that may be very different from their home environment. This can be particularly challenging for students who come from a different region or culture, as they have to adapt to a new way of life and social norms. For overseas students, this challenge is even greater, as they have to adjust to the culture of the new region while also feeling homesick for their family and home environment. This difficulty in social adaptation often leads to loneliness and isolation, which are major risk factors for mental health disorders. The inability to build positive social relationships and feel accepted within the campus environment can worsen students' mental state and affect their overall well-being.

3. Financial Problems

Apart from academic and social pressures, financial problems are one of the biggest sources of stress for new students. Especially for those who come from families with economic limitations, high tuition fees, expenses for housing, transportation, and daily needs are often a heavy burden that they have to bear. For many students, poor financial management can cause anxiety and stress, even leading to an inability to focus on their studies. According to Fitroni (2020), many new students are trapped in a consumptive and hedonistic lifestyle, which actually worsens their financial problems. Habits like these can trigger feelings of distress and contribute to increased anxiety about the future. In addition, worries about finances often interfere with students' focus on learning, as they are forced to work part-time or find other ways to make ends meet, which ultimately reduces time and energy for college.

4. Differences in Learning System

The transition from high school to university is one of the biggest challenges for new students. At school, students are usually used to structured schedules and intensive guidance from teachers. They are closely monitored and given clear directions regarding assignments and exams. However, in college, students are expected to be more independent, manage their own time, and take initiative in their studies. This difference is often a source of stress for new students, especially for those who are not ready for the change. This challenge is even greater for students who have ineffective study habits or are not used to a more active way of learning. Students who are unable to adjust to this more flexible learning system often experience difficulties in keeping up with the course material, which can lead to lower academic grades and dissatisfaction with their learning process.

Various studies show that the mental health of freshmen is at a high level of vulnerability and should be a priority. Dian (n.d.) explains that students often face major changes during the transition to college, such as adaptation to new freedoms, changing social conditions, and different learning systems. These changes often trigger high levels of anxiety and increase the risk of depression.

This is reinforced by research by Azmul Fuady Idham et al, who found that 58.1% of 62 students studied in Surabaya City had a high tendency of suicidal ideation and attempts. These results were published in the journal Intuition in November 2019. In addition, an Alvara Research Center survey (2022) of 1,520 respondents in 34 Indonesian provinces showed that generation Z, which includes most freshmen, has a higher level of anxiety than millennials and X generations. Factors such as academic pressure, financial problems, and feeling left behind by classmates are the main triggers of their stress.

Another study by University of Indonesia psychologist Dyah T. Indirasari revealed that during the pandemic, students showed a high tendency of negative emotions compared to other groups such as teachers and lecturers. The study of 5,817 respondents indicates that the transition phase from adolescence to adulthood is one of the main causes of high levels of anxiety, depression and stress in university students. The findings emphasize the need for more attention to the mental health of new students as part of efforts to support their academic success and quality of life.

Strategies to Address Freshmen Mental Health Challenges

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1. Provision of Counseling Services

The provision of easily accessible counseling services is essential to help new students cope with the academic and emotional stress they face. Campuses need to provide counseling services that include individual and group counseling, as well as prevention programs that can help students identify and address mental health issues early on. These services should be available in person on campus as well as online, to facilitate students who may not be able to access the services physically. Thus, students have flexible access and can get help whenever they need it. In addition, group counseling can also be a means for students to share experiences and gain social support, which is crucial in overcoming the emotional difficulties often felt during transition (Irawan, M., Bella, S., & Nurhijatina, H. 2024).

2. Soft Skills Training

Menurut Irawan, M., Bella, S., & Nurhijatina, H. (2024). New students often face difficulties in managing time, communicating well, and dealing with the stress of high academic demands. Therefore, soft skills training is needed to help them develop the necessary skills to face these challenges. Campuses can organize workshops or seminars that focus on developing skills such as time management, effective communication, and how to manage stress in a healthy manner. This kind of training will not only improve students' ability to deal with academic pressure, but also give them the tools to interact better with classmates, lecturers, and the surrounding environment. By having good soft skills, students can feel more confident and prepared to manage various challenging situations in their college life.

3. Support from Parents and Family

Emotional support from family is crucial in helping freshmen overcome the challenges they face during the transition to college. Parents need to understand that freshmen often experience stress due to academic pressure, social difficulties and financial problems. Therefore, it is important for parents to always listen to their child's complaints and concerns and provide the support needed, whether in the form of encouragement, attention, or practical help. Open communication between students and their families can help reduce loneliness and isolation, which is often a big problem for overseas students. Positive family support can provide students with a sense of security and comfort, and improve their mental well-being, so that they are better able to deal with the pressures that exist.

4. Building an Inclusive Campus Environment

Campuses should create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including new students who are adapting to campus life. One way to achieve this is by providing social spaces that allow students to interact and build healthy friendship networks. Campuses also need to ensure that all students feel welcome and valued, regardless of their cultural background, religion, or social status. An inclusive environment will help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that students often experience, especially those who come from outside the city or country (Irawan, M., Bella, S., & Nurhijatina, H, 2024). In addition, campuses should also provide various extracurricular activities that can bring together students with similar interests and hobbies, so that they can feel more connected to the campus community and strengthen the sense of community among students.

Conclusion

The mental health of new students is a very important factor in ensuring their success during higher education. The transition from high school to university is a period of change that can affect students' mental well-being. Heavier academic pressures, difficult social adjustments, overwhelming financial issues and differences in the university learning system are often the main challenges faced. If these issues are not properly addressed, the impact can be detrimental, ranging from mental disorders that interfere with concentration, motivation, to hindering the continuation of their education. Students who do not have adequate support may feel depressed and even experience a significant decline in their quality of life.

Therefore, prioritizing the mental health of new students should be an integral part of higher education policy. Campuses need to provide various forms of support that can help students overcome these challenges. Accessible counseling services are crucial, providing individual and group counseling, as well as prevention programs that help students to recognize and address problems early on. In addition, soft skills training that teaches students how to manage stress, manage time, and build good communication is needed. Support from family and an inclusive social environment are also very instrumental in helping students feel accepted and reduce loneliness, especially for those who come from outside the region or abroad.

Supporting the mental health of new students not only supports their academic achievements, but also prepares them to become more productive, resilient individuals who are able to contribute positively to society. By creating a supportive and caring campus environment for mental health, campuses not only help students face academic challenges, but also provide them with the skills to deal with difficulties in their personal and professional lives. This will have a significant long-term impact, not only on students' personal development, but also on the quality of future generations who are mentally healthier, ready to face the world of work, and able to contribute to the social and economic progress of the nation.

References:

• Fitroni, M. A., & Supriyanto, A. (2020). Permasalahan yang dihadapi mahasiswa baru dalam menjalani kehidupan di Universitas Negeri Malang. Masa dan pasca pandemi COVID-19, 170–179. Retrieved from http://conference.um.ac.id/index.php/apfip/article/view/407

• Idham, A. F. (2019). Tingkat ide dan upaya bunuh diri mahasiswa di Kota Surabaya. Intuisi: Jurnal Psikologi Ilmiah.

• Irawan, M., Bella, S., & Nurhijatina, H. (2024). Menghadapi tantangan kesehatan mental di kalangan mahasiswa: Solusi kolaboratif antara pendidikan dan layanan kesehatan. Jurnal Cerdik: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengajaran, 3(2), 106–117. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jcerdik.2024.003.02.01

• Hutasuhut, D. H., Surbakti, K. U. N. A., & … (2024). Pentingnya kesehatan mental bagi mahasiswa baru. Journal of Cross …, edujavare.com. https://edujavare.com/index.php/IJCK/article/view/227

• Indirasari, D. T. (n.d.). Kecenderungan emosi negatif mahasiswa selama pandemi. Universitas Indonesia.

• Alvara Research Center. (2022). Survei tingkat kecemasan generasi Z di Indonesia. Alvara Research Center.