Counseling

Here are a few quick and simple things you can do to enhance the quality of this time and experience called college.

• Be sure to stick with the basics. These include eating a balanced diet, at least most of the time. You know what the basic food groups are and how you should eat, and it is up to you to take responsibility to do that. Take the time to eat some of the good food that you need to keep yourself at an excellent level of health.

• Research indicates that the average college student needs seven to eight hours of sleep to perform at their optimum. It is important to try to get to bed at about the same time and get up at the same time on school nights. Students often make the mistake of trying to set and reset their biological clocks by the first class they have. Even on weekends it is important not to stretch your time schedule too much. Many feelings of fatigue are really a function of irregular sleep patterns. Short naps in the afternoon or early evening can enhance your performance but they cannot take the place of regular sleep. If you work and you are a full-time student, try to limit your job time as much as possible.

• A lot of college work is brain work, and you need physical exercise on a regular basis. Exercise can be solitary or done with friends, but it needs to involve both cardiovascular activity and the use of your large muscle groups. Exercise at least three times a week for an hour. Some exercise can be intense and some can be as relaxing as a semi-brisk walk with a friend.

• Be smart on the use of alcohol as a drug. When utilizing alcohol, do so as a beverage to enhance a social event or a meal. The problem with alcohol used to the level of intoxication is that it not only destroys brain cells, but it takes your body too long to recuperate. It is your responsibility to make alcohol decisions sensibly. Your university counseling service has information that might help you make more responsible choices regarding this drug.

• Take some time once a week to clean and reorganize your living space. When things are kept in order, people just seem to work more efficiently and more effectively. It is a disciplined activity that seems to help people manage their time and their life more effectively.

What is the difference between counseling and advising?

• Advisors help students understand the requirements of their degree programs and identify the courses need to take each semester to meet those requirements. Advisors can also provide help and guidance to students who are experiencing difficulties in their classes. In general, counselors assist students who are having problems of a more personal nature, which may or may not be adversely affecting their academic progress. 

Will what I tell the counselor be treated with confidentiality?

• Counselors are bound by a code of ethics that obligates them to treat with absolute confidentiality anything told to them by a client.  Counselors take this obligation very seriously as it is the basis of the bond trust that they must have with those who seek their help.

Confidentiality

• In protecting your information, we follow all professional standards and state and federal laws.

Making an Appointment

• To set up your first appointment, please stop by our office, Student Engagement, Room W206 (above the bookstore) between 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday. You can also email your counselor of choice to schedule your first appointment.

The First Appointment

• During this initial session you will describe your current concerns. Your counselor will make every effort to assess your situation and will probably ask questions to get specific information about your situation.

• At the end of this first appointment, you and your counselor will talk about the possible options to best meet your needs. This might include gathering additional information, scheduling a follow-up session, or identifying an off-campus referral that will best suit your needs

Individual Counseling

• Individual counseling provides an opportunity to talk with an objective, caring professional about your concerns. Your concerns might include feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, academic issues, work issues, or your issues in your relationships. Since every situation is different, the total number of sessions scheduled will vary. You and your counselor will determine the number of sessions needed.

Couples Counseling

• Short-term couples counseling can be provided for a couple when both parties are enrolled as students at Louisiana State University of Alexandria.

Crisis Intervention

• Emergency consultation and crisis counseling is available to students in person or by telephone. If a student is dealing with an urgent situation or crisis during regular business hours, come into the Student Services office as soon as possible and request to be seen by a counselor. If it is after hours and urgent, please call University Police at 318.445.1418.

• We provide crisis counseling services and support when an event occurs on the national, community, or campus level that affects the well being of the members of the campus community.

College life can be very stressful. In addition to the course work, you probably have a number of other obligations and activities that take up your time. There are, however, a few things you can do to make life less stressful.

• Keep daily or weekly to-do lists and plan ahead.
• Get up early enough so you will not have to rush to get ready for the day.
• Take a few minutes off while doing something stressful and get away mentally or physically by listening to the radio, watching television, walking, playing a game, or reading a book.
• Schedule more time than you think you will need to complete a task.
• Talk to a friend, to determine if that what is causing you stress is as serious as you think.
• Work out or exercise is a good way to relieve stress.
• Play and listen to some music that you like
• Rent and watch a funny movie.
• Let someone do you a favor. You do not have to do it all yourself.
• Schedule some time for yourself, and do something you enjoy.
• Try to keep things in perspective. For example, the sun will still rise tomorrow if you do not get your assignment done; you'll just have to remember to plan ahead better the next time. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes, but learn from them instead. This is much less stressful and much more productive.

If these suggestions do no bring you relief from your stress, go to Student Engagement (above the bookstore), Room W206, to see a counselor or schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

College is a unique experience, and not all persons get to experience college. It is a period in your life where you have more choices, possibly more free time, and a wider range of activities. There is probably no period in your life where more significant changes will occur. Some of your relationships will change, and you will establish new relationships.

It is important to keep in touch with your family. College is a transition period during which you will develop new patterns for your life and evaluate the patterns that you have learned from your family. Developing new interests and life patterns, learning more about your world, and spending most of your time with your studies, may cause you to spend less time interacting with your family. You may find it helpful to find ways to ritualize your contacts with your family, such as calling at a certain time of the week or day. If you live away from your family decide on the number of visits that you will make to your home environment during each semester. If you live with your family, schedule times for family activities and for family conversations. Share your college experiences during these times and communicate any changes that are taking place in your life. Some of your family members may not accept the changes, but it is important for you to share with your family and to listen to what is changing in your family members= lives.

Set aside time to develop new and meaningful relationships in college. In college most people develop a series of acquaintances, friendships, and loving relationships. Take time to focus on these relationships, knowing that you will grow into some relationships in college and grow out of some of them. Work to make relationships a healthy and positive part of your college life. Counselors are available to help you define healthy aspects of relating and ways to improve your communication skills.

To make an appointment with a counselor come by the Student Services Office, located in Room W206 above the Bookstore or call 318.767.2604. The Division of Student Engagement is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time management helps you become more organized in your academic and social life. By keeping track of your time, you will have a more responsible approach toward your activities. The purpose of time management is not only to be a good student, but also to have a life! Your time management schedule should be adjusted according to your weekly or monthly work load, social activities, meetings, and exercise plans.