Four years ago when I was a freshman, I can remember opening my eyes in the morning and not knowing why I even bothered waking up. My grandfather had recently passed away and my parents had just gotten divorced; the world I once knew had been turned completely upside down. I would go to chapel by myself and sit alone not caring to talk to anyone. That was how I spent my first couple of years at Biola.
If my experience sounds familiar to you, then you should keep reading. According to the 2006 National Survey for Counseling Center Directors, “92 percent [of] college counseling directors believe the number of students with severe psychological problems has increased in recent years.” Moreover, “37 percent of college students say that they felt during the past school year ‘so depressed it was difficult to function.’”
After being a part of Biola’s community for the past four years, I’ve noticed that there is a pressure felt by students to hide the problems and issues they face daily. In reality, bottling up the pain of despair and loneliness will only result in an increase of pain. Even at Biola, we feel like we need to cover up our inner turmoil and that if we seek therapy we will be looked down on — but this is false.
I have been receiving counseling for about a year now, and I can honestly say that I have grown more as a person in those sessions than I have in the past five years. I have also discovered that counseling is not only for people who have suffered from trauma and abuse — it can be an outlet for whatever is on your mind.
Moreover, the Biola Counseling Center offers a significant discount for students. There is an admission fee of $20, but each session only costs $12.
The most severe problems college students face today are “depression, sexual assault, and thoughts of suicide,” says the American Psychological Association Web site. If you deal with these things on a daily basis or you know someone who does, the Biola Counseling Center is both an affordable and local resource.
If you feel embarrassed about receiving counseling, it’s good to remember that you’re not alone in your struggles. Feeling pressure and stress from schoolwork and family is normal for any college student to experience. Having someone who will listen to what you have to say in a confidential environment is a great way to release the tension.
Throughout my time in counseling, I have discovered that only I can change what I don’t like about myself. Counseling has given me the push that I need to make the necessary (and scary) changes in my life.
I suggest that you don’t wait until your senior year to look into the Biola Counseling Center; what they offer is something that I personally believe everyone needs. Who doesn’t need someone to talk with about relationship or family issues?
