Adaptation at the university is an important and versatile process. At this time, the student learns how to live in a new way: he needs to "stabilize" in unfamiliar conditions and find new support inside himself. To help students successfully integrate into the educational environment, we met with Irina Rogova, a teacher-psychologist of the social, pedagogical and psychological service of BNTU, and talked about the relevant to freshmen issue.
– Irina Mikhailovna, why can difficulties arise while adapting to a new environment?
– When people get into new conditions, they can react in different ways, because each of us has developed different protective reactions. If we are talking about first-year students, then they may be unsettled by the changed conditions of educational activity, a new group, and uncertainty about their future profession. With sudden changes in life, fear, anxiety or internal tension appear. You should not be afraid of these emotions – you can work with them, live them. Of course, everyone will have this process in their own way.
So, if a person was already socially active at school and got used to constant communication with people, he is more willing to meet new experiences, the basic level of fear will quickly recede and the person will gradually merge into an unfamiliar environment. However, the adaptation process does not always go so smoothly, because it includes many factors that can cause anxiety and fear. One of them is a new team: when entering the university, many young people are afraid l not be able to find friends. Coping with this fear helps to realize that you are in the same boat with your groupmates.
– First of all, you need to accept the fact that you have moved to a new status and you are students. This is a very important stage in your life: you have passed a long way, revising for exams, choosing a place of study, many even changed their place of residence and settled in a dormitory. The race is over – you have reached the finish line. Your classmates are in the same situation: they were just as worried about admission then as you were, and they are worried about the environment now. When starting a dialogue with someone, remember that you are both leaving your comfort zone and need to find new support in an unfamiliar environment," Irina Mikhailovna noted.
– The issue of separation often goes hand in hand with the adaptation process, because many students face homesickness. How to deal with it?
– This question is very relevant for both first-year students and their parents, because they are faced with the understanding that their child is growing up and becoming independent. The way a parent handles this has a direct impact on their child's emotional state. Children only need support, and it is important for adults to cope with their anxiety on their own: do not give strict instructions, do not burden the child with their own experiences, but only internally believe that their daughter or son can cope with problems on their own. At the moments when a child calls in search of support, you need to cheer up your beloved student in time and remind him that he is always expected at home.
Irina Mikhailovna also noticed that the stage of growing up will take place gradually and it needs to be released in the same way. There is no specific action that will solve the problem. To cope with getting used to a new place, it is important to constantly monitor your condition. If your heart is heavy, you can call your parents, talk to them and get support, and the next day gather your strength and take a new step towards change. Then it will gradually become easier every day.
Of course, adaptation is a complex process, which is very difficult to cope with alone. If a student feels that it is not easy for him or has been delayed, then do not hesitate to ask for help. The Belarusian National Technical University has organized comprehensive support for first-year students in matters of adaptation, including psychological support.
– Where can a student apply to get support?
– At BNTU, the Center for Ideological and Educational Work includes a socio-pedagogical and psychological service, where every student can receive qualified psychological assistance. All faculties of the university have specialists assigned to help them cope with various life situations. Any student can come to the psychologist of his faculty on an exciting issue, including one related to adaptation. A lot of students come to us every day and get real help. All confidentiality conditions are observed at BNTU, and the guys receive high-quality professional support. They will not leave you alone with your problems and will do everything so that you do not feel lonely.
The main thing is to apply on time and not delay with an exciting question. You can make an appointment for a consultation with psychologists by calling: +375 (17) 293-95-52, +375 (17) 293-96-79. Specialists can also be found in rooms 204 and 310a of the BNTU building No. 13.
We thank Irina Mikhailovna for the informative interview, and we wish the first-year students to get as many vivid impressions and unforgettable memories from their upcoming studies at the Belarusian National Technical University
