Prior to my position as an Academic Advisor at my current institution, I held a role in the Student Counseling and Support Services office at Stanford University. One of the cases I handled was of a first-year student grappling with homesickness and academic pressure.
Applying principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I led the student through a series of sessions. We focused on identifying sources of stress, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and developing effective coping strategies.
The student gradually learned to manage their stress better and their academic performance improved. They even joined a student peer-support group, providing help to others facing similar issues. This experience reinforced my belief in the transformative power of comprehensive support services to assist students in navigating their hardships.