If you feel concerned about any of the following areas related to your studies, you may benefit from speaking to a counsellor:
- not knowing what to study;
- where you are going with your life;
- having chosen the wrong course of study - considering a change in direction;
- not knowing how to study;
- failing examinations;
- feeling stressed or anxious;
- your physical or learning disability;
- feeling sad or depressed most of the time.
Counselling is a growth process through which individuals are helped to define goals, make decisions and solve problems related to personal-social; educational and career concerns.
What can you expect from your counsellor?
- Someone who is interested in listening to your concerns and helping to develop a better understanding of them so that you can deal with the issue more easily and effectively.
- Your counsellor will want to work WITH you, but won’t do for you what you are capable of doing for yourself.
- Confidentiality is an important and vital part of counselling. Nothing discussed during your counselling session may be told to anyone without your permission.
Myths about counselling
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MYTH 1:
Counselling is only for people who have serious emotional problems.
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FACT:
While counselling does deal with people who have emotional problems, it can also help:
- Students choosing a course of study/ career path.
- Individuals having problems with academic achievement.
- Individuals who want to understand themselves better.
- Students having difficulty managing their time (studies, work, family commitments, etc.).
- Students trying to adjust to the university.
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MYTH 2:
The counsellor is your “psychic” who tells you what to do with your life and how to “fix” your problems.
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FACT:
The counsellor is there to help you achieve the goals you set and help you resolve your problems. Counsellors will not tell you what to do, but rather help you to explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of your choices.
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MYTH 3:
Change is simple.
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FACT:
Change is not simple and it takes time and energy. Counselling is not a “quick fix” cure to your problems. Insight into your functioning and the decisions you make help you to change.
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Learn more about myths related to counselling by listening to a podcast.
Need to talk to someone?
Learn more about the support services offered by the Unisa Directorate for Counselling and Career Development and how to contact a counsellor to have a conversation.