By Rachel Sell\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new program designed to help Hood students cope with academic anxiety held its first meeting on Sept. 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program, called the Academic Anxiety Support Group, will meet once weekly for six weeks. Meetings will take place every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Mental Health Counselor John Slick, the group will discuss a different topic at each meeting such as perfectionism, depression and developing healthier self-talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAcademic anxiety is a very common mental health concern on college campus nationwide, and we know it\u2019s something that Hood students are experiencing as well,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Slick, the design of a support group allows members to make connections and hear from others who are experiencing similar issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2026want to give students the space to talk about their experience and learn from one another,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the Academic Anxiety Support Group is a form of group therapy, registration is required to maintain a comfortable and appropriate environment, according to Director of Wellness Amanda Dymek. To do so, students can email counselingservices@hood.edu<\/a>, but should do so before mid-October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are getting to midterms, we are getting to the middle of the semester, and we know that this is a stressful time,\u201d Dymek said. \u201cThis group is intended to provide support\u2026and help students learn skills that help to manage their anxiety around academics specifically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The support group will help to normalize academic anxiety, according to Dymek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a thing we struggle with on campus\u2026 and this is okay, to admit that \u2018I have anxiety around my classes,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slick said, Hood College Counseling Services have provided a series of programs this month surrounding academic anxiety. The series has included videos that have been sent out to faculty and staff to share with students, a lunch and learn presentation about performance anxiety and now the support group itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis whole series is a joint initiative between Counseling Services and the NeighborHood Counseling Training Clinic,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dymek said that Hood College Health and Counseling Services is considering what other groups may be helpful and supportive to students in the future, such as groups for grief or trauma.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"