High school students are often asked what they want to do with life and what college they want to attend. As a senior, the stress of figuring out what you want to do after high school can be challenging, and the impact of an eating disorder can make the application process more daunting for students.
Questions To Ask During The Application Process
When researching colleges and universities, students juggle numerous thoughts at once. You may consider staying close to home or going farther away, living in a dorm or finding an apartment, seeing if specific schools offer programs that fit their interests, navigating the ins and out of financial aid, and more.
However, there is a lot to consider for someone struggling with an eating disorder. What might prompt any triggers? How will you navigate managing your meal schedule? Can you find a balance between academics and extracurriculars? These are all important questions to consider when looking into colleges to apply to.
Mental Health Services on Campus
During the application process, consider what mental health services are offered by each school. Most colleges and universities have counseling centers on campus for students. These centers are typically free of charge to the student. Students also consider seeing if schools offer specific programs to help individuals with eating disorders. Also, research the school’s connections with mental health organizations and their support for students with mental health difficulties.
You can also attend a BALANCE Free Virtual Support Group or seek support from organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). A support system can also benefit your success as you begin college for the first time. With the support of family and friends family and friends, as well as professors and advisors, you can excel throughout your college experience.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call below, or read more about our philosophy here.
References
Muhlehim, L. (2021, June 7). Eating Disorders in College: What You Need to Know. Verywell Mind. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorders-on-campus-what-you-should-know-5186928
Wolf, N. (2015, May 21). A Guide to Choosing a College for Teens with Eating Disorders. Noodle. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://www.noodle.com/articles/advice-for-teens-going-to-college-with-an-eating-disorder
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a blog contributor for BALANCE, whose previous work has been featured in Project HEAL and Nourishing NY. She is an alumnus of The New School of Social Research, where she received her Masters in Psychology. After attending Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development.
