Underrated College Departments

The ultimate goal of college is to receive an education. Along the way to earning your degree, you might be surprised at how many areas of life are involved in college besides course work. During your time as a student, you will grow not only in academics, but you’ll also gain professional experience, health and relationships along the way.

CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

At Cornerstone University, we have a department called the Center for Student Success. This team empowers you to develop an individualized four-year plan, provides academic counseling and support and assists you in developing skills that will help you thrive as a student. Their services include:

• Academic Advising. Coming up with a four-year plan can be rather overwhelming. The Center for Student Success is fantastic at recognizing your strengths and goals. Using that information, they help develop the perfect plan for you.
• Peer Tutoring. Course work can seem daunting. Having accessible tutors is so helpful. It can make all the difference in a class.
• Disability Services. Cornerstone aims to help every student succeed. The Center for Student Success offers a variety of ways to make learning available to students no matter what their situation.

CENTER FOR CAREER AND LIFE CALLING

Getting a job after college can be a heavy weight to bear. Many students have loans to pay back, making getting a job essential. Thankfully, Cornerstone has a department called the Center for Career and Life Calling. They prepare you for the professional world. Not only do they want you to be hired, but they also want you to thrive in a position that matches your strengths and passions. Some specific ways in which their team supports students are:

• Internships.
• Career assessment and planning.
• Workshops and networking opportunities.
• Resume development.

In my own personal experience, I have attended workshops by Career and Life Calling that have helped me fuel my own passions. The team has a contagious energy that makes you want to strive toward your goals.

HEALTH SERVICES

Getting sick while away at school is no fun. Health Services is a wonderful resource for preventative health care to keep you from catching a bug. Every flu season they provide flu shots conveniently on campus. They also periodically distribute wellness kits to students.

If by chance, you do have an ailment, Health Services has the following services to help you with your needs:

• Visits with a registered nurse for minor injuries (e.g., sprains) or illnesses (e.g., cold, flu, headaches, rashes, digestive disorders).
• Blood pressure checks.
• Health education and wellness promotion.
• Access to loan items (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs).
• Referrals to specialists.

THE WELL

An immense amount of growth occurs in college. Much of that growth comes from challenges and experiences. The Well exists to help students handle anything that life might throw at them. They provide counseling for everything from roommate conflicts to substance abuse. No problem is too small or too large and everything is completely confidential.

It is immensely freeing to share your deepest insecurities in a safe place. Their services include many different types of counseling including:

• Individual counseling.
• Couples counseling.
• Premarital counseling.
• Group counseling.

THE TAKEAWAY

You are not alone in college. No matter how intimidating life can get, there are a plethora of resources to assist you. Reaching out to utilize them can enhance your college experience beyond what you expect. Try your best to have an open mind and allow others to help you.

For me, I often feel like I can do everything on my own. College has helped me to recognize that allowing others to pour into your life can equip you to excel academically, relationally and professionally. Take advantage of it.