Andrea Davis Humanities "Stressed, but actually excited too because I'm graduating this semester. I just can't wait until it's all over." Sean Kennedy American Studies "I need the break so it's not coming fast enough." Lakia Clarke Communications "I feel like I don't want to take them but, I'm not stressing over them. Majority of them are final papers and presentations so I’m not that worried. Besides I'm only a Ist semester junior." Todd McGuckin "Stressed!" Pam Myers Applied Behavioral Science "I only have two finals so I am not worried about them." Feeling Stressed? Penn State Harrisburg offers free counseling services for students Having problems studying for finals? Or how about dealing with your peers, your family, or the stress of the holidays? Sounds like most students this time of year, but fortunately Penn State offers a free counseling service for students. The service, located in the Student Assistance Center of Olmsted, assists students in dealing with everyday challenges through academic and personal coun seling. Steve Backels, Ph. D., director of psychological counseling programs at Penn State, says what he loves about his job is making a differ- ence in somebody s life. “I see someone m pain, “Badkels* approach to COUII - says, “and I know that I might have helped . them work past that.” Backels has been the direc- ,S not t 0 B* ve tlle StU ” tor of the program since 1991 . He works with the dent tOO mUCII adviCC. Rattier, counselors and staff as they decide how to he helps the Individual explore approach mental health issues as well as counsel- the situation. ‘lt’S the Student ing his own students'. who has to live with the choic- Backels approach to counseling is not * to give the student too much advice. Rather, he they make* he SliyS, helps the individual explore their situation. “It’s the student who has to live with the choices they make,” he says. Mindy Reed, LSW, Philadelphia College of Medicine Practieum student and counselor at PSU since April, says both personal advice and professional teachings come into play when she is counseling a student. “It is not only my personal experience, but other personal experiences that I share with the students,” she says. “It is so much more enriching and balancing this way.” Both Backels and Reed say that being a counselor has enriched their own lives as well. Reed says that students’ being able to share their lives with you, to open up and talk about them, is great. “People teach me things everyday,” she says. “When you are dealing with daily issues, you have to reflect on the type of decisions and types of approaches you take as well.” Backels revealed his challenge starting out as a counselor which was not being able to put aside the students problems outside of the office. He needed to establish boundaries in order to coun sel students more effectively. Now, he says, his biggest challenge is keeping up with the research. “We need to keep up with the studies and all of the changes in mental health, medications, and try different therapies to provide the best service,” he says. All of the counselors admitted to growing attached to students because of the relationship that is built between them. “The relationship with the students is wonderful,” says Reed. “It allows you to have a glimpse into someone’s life and you can’t help but wonder (after counseling is com pleted) how things turned out. It is very typical of the relationship.” Alia Harwick, elementary education, recently took the step to improving her health, by talk ing to a counselor in the program. She says it helped her to relieve stress and feel better because someone was there to listen. More importantly, she takes advantage of the free service and the confi dentiality. Her advice to students hesitant about talking to a counselor is, “just going and making the appointment is half the battle. Once, you have done that, you know help is only one more stop away.” IV Years Free H eflf/// Sign A lease By March, 30 2003, and Yoa’ro Automatically Entered to Win. Check out the Fabulous Amenities We have te Offer: 'Spacious Time Bedroom, Two Full Bath Apartments ‘On Site Fitness Center and Study Lounge 'On Site Laundry 'Utilities included 'Parking Available' Convenient Location Meridian on College Avenue 646 East College avenge State College, PA 16861 814 231-9643 www.meridiattMeellegeavemie.eeMi By Rachel Shepherd Features Editor m e r~i o ia n on college overtne MURKY. LIMITED TIME OFFER APARTMK NTS ARE GOANO FAST’!!
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers