As the new academic year approaches, students at Stony Brook University are preparing for the changes and challenges that come with returning to campus. The transition can bring excitement but also anxiety, especially for those starting college or transferring to a new environment.
“You are entering a new phase of your life, so you will be anxious, and being anxious is not wrong. That is what life is about,” said Smita Majumdar Das, executive director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Behavioral Health.
Majumdar Das explained that anxiety often arises from facing the unknown. She suggested that preparation can help ease these feelings. “The number one step of managing anxiety of any kind is preparation,” she said. “Having a mental map of your day eases anxiety and eases that first week.”
She recommended using academic resources such as syllabi to stay organized. “That is like that is your guidebook for how your semester will look. So again, organize yourself when you get a syllabus, read it and compare it to your others. That way, it will help with time management and scheduling,” she said. “I think that’s the number one reason for people really having a lot of issues in college — they just don’t know how to organize because nobody told them how to do it.”
Majumdar Das also advised students to familiarize themselves early with available campus resources—even if they do not need them immediately—to reduce stress later on. “Know your resource, or the three or four resources that you anticipate needing to use. Do your research. So when you need them, you’re not trying to find information; you already have it in your back pocket. This reduces anxiety even further,” she added.
Stony Brook University offers several spaces and services designed to support student well-being, including a Meditation Room for quiet reflection or guided meditation classes and Sensory Rooms equipped with items like fidget toys and earplugs for moments of overwhelm. The Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO) and Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) provide workshops throughout the semester on topics such as time management and managing anxiety.
For more serious concerns, students are encouraged to reach out directly to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or TimelyCare for additional support.
