Dec. 4, 2024
Ferris State’s Personal Counseling Center offers late-semester tips, welcomes students for urgent walk-in screening
The end of the semester can be a time of anxiety for college students. Ferris State University’s Personal Counseling Center wants struggling students to know its licensed therapists are available to foster mental wellness.
Christy Bourdlais (left) heads the Birkam Health Center and Andy Slater (right) leads the Personal Counseling Center at Ferris State University. Both are Ferris State graduates and familiar with student wellness needs.
Personal Counseling Center Director Andy Slater said there is a definite pattern to requests for assistance during the academic year.
“In my experience, our busiest time has been from Oct. 1 to the winter break,” Slater said. “So many factors can present an individuals’ ‘perfect storm,’ from academic stress to homesickness or a variety of relationship issues that might see them seek support from our counseling staff.”
As the number of days wind down to finals week, Slater said students can benefit from taking stock in time management and following best practices for success in the classroom.
“Getting an appropriate amount of sleep, sticking with a good diet and getting exercise are important components of a healthy lifestyle,” Slater said. “It is also very important to give your coursework regular attention, because an ‘all-nighter’ before an exam, presentation or final is less likely to bring the desired result, trying to recall all the necessary facts, answers or processes.”
Students seeking to engage with Personal Counseling Center staff can call or email (231) 591-5968 or [email protected] to schedule and intake. For those who feel the need to talk to a counselor on an urgent matter, the PCC has an urgent walk-in hour Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. Slater said students only need to present to the office and request to see someone for the urgent walk-in and they will be seen.
“There will be paperwork to complete, so it is best for anyone wanting assistance to arrive as early as possible in that hour,” Slater said. “We will meet as many requests as we can as the semester ends and welcome any student who needs help, but they might wait up to a week and a half before their first session. We will have a much better situation for those wanting to set appointments early in the Spring semester.”
Students can receive support from counselors through scheduled appointments free of charge. The Personal Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Birkam Health Center and can be contacted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.