UCC Helps Freshmen with Homesickness

On Wednesday night, freshmen students were able to experience a little 'home away from home' at the weekly Wacky Wednesday night on the Vern that was hosted by the University Counseling Center this week. Psychologists brought a dog for students to play with, homemade treats to enjoy, classic childhood movies to watch, postcards to color and send home, and an opportunity to talk about living away from home for the first time.

"Most psychologists at the University Counseling Center see students every semester that are struggling with homesickness, especially in the beginning of the academic year when students are struggling with adjusting to college life and stress," said Gretchen Herbert Wilber, a psychologist at UCC that helped plan the 'Home Away from Home' event. "This event started last year in Thurston hall and it was a big success."

Students were able to write on a whiteboard the things from home that they missed the most; the most common answers being pets, family, high school friends and homemade food. "It didn't hit me 'till later, because I was so excited to be on my own. But then it was like, wait... I'm going to be away from home and everything that I've known," explained freshman student Lauren Mankus.

For student missing home, the UCC recommends getting involved on campus, going out with friends, keeping in touch with home, volunteering in the DC community and setting goals for yourself. For more information, contact the UCC at http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/.

Students Stressed Over Midterms

If you haven't had a midterm yet - consider yourself lucky! Its that season - Gelman is more packed than usual, the lines at Starbucks are growing and so are the stress levels that make many students anxious each year.

"Midterms are so nerve racking," says Giselle Alvarado, a freshman majoring in political communication. "I have huge problems managing my stress and just can't relax whenever I have a test."

Giselle is far from being the only student experiencing such problems. Fortunately, the University Counseling Center is designed to help students who are stressed out deal with stress during the mid-term period. Counselors consider that someone is stressed out when they experience physical disabilities such as headaches, change in appetite, cognitive problems such as difficulties falling asleep or fear of failure.

There are some easy ways to reduce stress - counselors agree that some of the most useful ones are laughing and having fun, as well as learning the basic skills of time management. For more information, contact the University Counseling Center at (202) 994 - 5300.

- Claire Bauchart

How Do You Like YOUR Roommate?

Freshman year is full of new experiences, places and faces. Perhaps the most familiar faces will be that of you roommates. Hopefully, everyone gets along…but what happens if things go wrong?

This year, freshman were required to meet with their House Proctor and roommates and create a roommate agreement. Roommate agreements cover everything from studying and lights out, to alcohol and sex. They are the first line of defense should any problems arise. If conflict continues or escalates, the university offers a conflict resolution center.

The conflict resolution center is a department of the University Counseling Center. Its mission is to provide all students with a comfortable environment for immediate mediation and to foster long-lasting voluntary resolution skills.

Most mediation are proctored by a third-party, namely a conflict resolution center fellow. Started in 2006, the fellows program was designed for students interested in conflict mediation and communication education. Fellows are responsible for conflict coaching services, outreach and initiative and university-wide efforts to enhance communication and conflict resolution skills.

However, if mediation fails, there is one last option – a room swap. Provided online by the GW Housing program, students unhappy with their residence can fill out a profile online. Once submitted, all other profiles can be viewed. Once a compatible room swap is found, the tow students submit a joint request to swap rooms.

For more information on roommate agreements, contact your house proctor. For more information on the conflict resolution center or room swapping, visit the GW Housing Program website here.

-Maeve Duggan