Information from the Human Services Center :
The season of freshmen and fresh leaves
~May sickness is a great chance to re-evaluate yourself~

Around the time when most students are getting used to college life, "May Sickness" makes its appearance among freshmen. Well, why don't make use of this chance to change your way of thinking and give yourself some fresh air?

People call the physical and mental health problems that show up after the golden week period "May Sickness".

Inability to find a new goal after having been released from the pressure of entrance exam; the differences between expectations and the reality of university life; troubles in building new relationships; changes in life-style and living environment. All of these are said to be reasons for "May Sickness".

One can say that symptoms of "May Sickness" are results of fatigue and stress when attempting to adapt to a new environment after school starts. People start to see their symptoms when things become stable and they are released from stress. The reason is that a large amount of energy is required in order to get used to new people and new things. For those who are living in a dorm or alone for the first time, everything is so new that it is natural to feel tired.

Once you start thinking about "Am I having 'The May Sickness'?"...

You may feel under the weather and find it difficult to concentrate in class. When you have a feeling that "Something's changed", try to take it as a signal from yourself to take a fresh look at yourself. Don't just keep on thinking negative thoughts.

You have been running at full speed to get everything done in a new environment since April. There is no way you can keep up this pace. How about taking a rest and using it as a chance to re-think your college life?

What is "Emotional Health"?

It's common to think "mentally/emotionally healthy" means having no worries, but in fact how many of us really have no worries at all? In a survey targeting Waseda students, most people said that they have career, academic and human relations problems. In fact, only 6% of the total respondents said that they have no troubles at all. ( Student Affairs Division, Waseda University)

URL: http://www.waseda.jp/student/research/index.html
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Q. What kinds of worries or troubles do you have in your school life? (Multiple answers allowed).
(from [The 24th Research on Students School Life, 2005])

Worries and troubles could be considered reminders of topics we will have to deal with in the future. Through the process of handling these topics, one can grow up and discover new things about oneself. If we take this attitude, maybe we should say that accepting worries directly and then trying our best to solve the problems they represent is the sign of true emotional health.

Working at your own pace, please find the college lifestyle that suits you best. The Human Services Center will help. Come visit us whenever you like.