Common Freshmen Challenges
True or False
Dating
Friends
WWYD (What Would You Do?)
100
It’s been about two weeks since Paul moved onto campus and is consumed with thoughts of home. He doesn’t think that he will make friends and has not been able to concentrate on his schoolwork. He’s also not sleeping well and will eat twice a day but not have much of a appetite.
What might Paul be experiencing?
Homesickness
About 70% of first-year students experience symptoms of homesickness.
If homesickness is affecting you or a friend and you would like to talk about it, come to CPS at O'Hare Hall (lower level) for a walk-in or schedule a phone screen for counseling.
100
It is super uncommon for college students to change their major.
False!
About 30% of college students who declare a major end up changing it at least once within 3 years of enrollment.
Roughly 10% of students change majors twice.
100
You finally meet your online crush in person! But they are three inches shorter and look ten years older than their profile pic. You've officially been what?
Catfished
100
What is something you can do when you meet someone for the first time?
Smile
Introduce yourself and ask how they’re doing
100
Your parent wants you to go to a family gathering on Saturday, but you already have plans to go to an event on-campus. What might you say to your parent?
There’s no right or wrong answer!
Everyone has unique relationships with their family members.
Consider how going to college might change your relationship with people in your life and how you might handle such changes.
200
The following is the cause of what: excessive or challenging assignments, tough exams, and unrealistic expectations.
Academic pressure
200
Most colleges do not offer any mental health services for their students.
False! 92% of colleges provide mental health supports for students.
CPS offers short-term counseling for registered undergrad and grad students. We are available year-round support for students so long as you are in NY.
Our other services include Bettermynd and peer counseling.
200
Inconsistent communication and disappearing acts are often referred to as this spooky dating trend.
Ghosting
200
This is a common feeling of discomfort or nervousness in social situations.
Social anxiety
Want to understand why is underneath your social anxiety? Come on over to CPS at O'Hare Hall.
200
You’re in a class that is required for your major and you’ve been finding it REALLY difficult.
What might you consider doing?
- Come to CPS for emotional support
- Seek support from a peer counseling
- Ask professor for help (after class, during office hours, or set up time to meet via email)
- Seek tutoring
- Ask a friend or classmate if the two of you can work together
- Seek guidance from your academic advisor or the head of your department
300
You and your roommate have incompatible sleeping habits. She’s a night owl and you’re an early riser. You have not been sleeping well and have been cranky as a result. What needs to happen?
A conversation between the two of you.
If you need support, e.g., talking through the situation, processing the conflict, etc., come to CPS!
O'Hare Hall
Mon-Thurs: 9am-7pm
Fri: 9am-5pm
300
Because of Title IX,
ALL staff and faculty members are mandated to report incidents of sexual misconduct and discrimination to the university.
False
At Fordham, exceptions to the Title IX Mandatory Reporting requirements are:
Counselors in Counseling and Psychological Services
Pastoral Counselors in Campus Ministry
Medical Providers in University Health Services
300
Telling you who you can or can’t hang out with? Looking through your phone?
To me, it sounds like this person is showing a lot this dating term for warning signs.
Red flags
Having a hard time determining what is a red flag? Come talk to one of our counselors at CPS. Making an appointment is easy: stop by our offices in O'Hare or call us at (718) 817-3725.
300
What is something you can do if you are shy and find it difficult to talk to new people?
- Prepare a few open-ended questions beforehand
- Focus on common interests
- Join a club centered on something you enjoy
- Have a friend introduce you to new people
- Come to CPS
- Make an appointment with a peer counselor
300
It’s 12 AM. You’re about to leave a party to head home. On your way out, you see a classmate of yours is visibly very intoxicated.
What would you do?
Many possible answers!
“How are you getting home?”
“Are there friends here that can watch out for you? Or that can meet you here?”
Call FUEMS
400
This psychological pattern makes individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud, common even among high-achieving college students.
Imposter syndrome
400
College professors typically reach out to students who are struggling academically.
False
It is up to the student to reach out and seek supports.
400
You nervously spill your drink on your date. Instead of panicking, you both burst out laughing. This awkward moment might actually be a good sign of what?
Good sense of humor
or
Compatibility
400
Your friend says that they are having a hard time but you are going through a rough patch too. How do you approach this as a supportive friend and also take care of yourself?
Acknowledge your friend's struggles while also prioritizing your own mental health and communicating your capacity to offer support.
400
You live on campus with a roommate who says and does things that make you feel uncomfortable and sometimes, even unsafe, despite you asking them to stop. WWYD?
- Talk to the Residential Director.
- Consider living with a nearby friend or family member until issue is resolved.
- Process what is going on with a counselor at CPS.
500
You have been assigned to write an essay of ideas on how to improve the mental health of college students.
What’s an acceptable way you can use AI (like ChatGPT)?
- Use AI as starting point for research and cite the original sources
- Come up with your own ideas to answer the question! 
500
College students tend to gain about 15 lbs during their freshman year.
False….sort of!
Studies have found that college freshmen DO gain weight; however, the “Freshman 15” is rare.
500
This enthusiastic, voluntary, and unambiguous agreement is the cornerstone of healthy interactions.
Consent
500
Past negative social experiences can lead to this, making you hesitant to put yourself out there again.
Fear of rejection
If you struggle with fear of rejection or have questions about the impact of rejection, reach out to us at CPS in O'Hall Hall. Alternatively, you can reach out to our peer counselors.
500
You’re a commuter student and you’ve just learned that your mom hurt herself at work. She asks if you could pick up your little brother from school, but this you’re supposed to be in class at that time. WWYD?
Let your professor know.