Navigating the Shift: My Journey Through the University Transition

Whether it is moving schools, graduating, or starting afresh, a new transition is always scary. It can seem daunting for everybody, and for a long time, it certainly felt that way for me.

The Weight of New Beginnings

The transition from high school to university was one of the most impactful shifts in my life, and it severely impacted my mental health. I found myself juggling so many changes at once:

• Adjusting to a completely new environment.

• The stress of "finding your people" and searching for a sense of belonging.

• The overwhelming feeling of having no clue what is going on.

To make matters more difficult, I was dealing with challenging family circumstances. School wasn't the only worry on my mind, which made the academic and social pressure feel even heavier.

The Danger of Isolation

During those first few months, I fell behind. I remember crying every single day in my room, feeling deeply unhappy and questioning why I was even there. In my distress, I made a mistake: I cut out my friends. I wanted to be alone and blocked everyone out, thinking that isolation was the answer.

Finding a Turning Point

Everything changed when my Residence Advisor (RA) noticed I was struggling and offered a listening ear. That moment helped me realize that I don’t have to suffer in silence. Through the advice of older friends, I began to see things I had missed because of my stress. I realized I had been trying so hard to take care of everyone else amidst the chaos that I had completely neglected myself.

The Road to Recovery

The path back wasn't linear. Every night I would tell myself, “It’s going to get better tomorrow,” only to have a small inconvenience lead to another breakdown. Even the hobbies that used to bring me joy stopped feeling like enough.

However, I kept picking myself up. Here is how I began to manage:

• Building a Support Network: I found a group of people I could truly trust and talk to.

• Professional Help: I sought out campus counseling. While it fell below my initial expectations, the techniques they offered were tools I could actually use.

• Changing My Environment: I forced myself out of my room. I explored campus, found my "go-to" study spots, and reclaimed my "escapes"—the music room and the gym.

  
  

A Note to My Peers

Embarking on a new road is always tough. But if you are in the middle of a hard transition right now, please remember: Be gentle with yourself. Know that there are people who care about you, and we all have the capability to push through. You don’t have to do it alone.

-Chloe Kim

Founder

MABSNetwork BC