For most students, exams are completed and the results await, they will have spent their time off recuperating with friends and family after a hectic few months and should be ready for round two. The overwhelming doubt and uncertainty experienced by many students prior to and during the first semester of the college year is generally over.

However, for many others, having to return to college after the lengthy Christmas break can cause different degrees of stress and the “Second Semester Blues” may kick in. Counsellor Kay McSweeney is based in the southwest region. She feels there are many factors contributing to this state of mind.

Speaking about the topic, she said that student’s feelings towards returning to college are very much influenced by past experience.

“Returning to college … each student after Christmas break will hold different thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

“The emotions we hold have to do with the past defining moments we have had in our lives.

“If a person always had a negative thought about returning to school, the negative thought will fuel negative feelings … which will remain until same is explored.

Not only can past experiences have an influence, but so can other people in our lives also.

“The thoughts he or she may be having about college may have been influenced by what their parents thought of their own schooling, how parents feel about returning to their own workplace after time off and the negative experiences the adult child may have had within the education system.

“New Year’s Resolutions” can often place added pressure on students to succeed in the new year, making them dread the semester ahead, thus contributing to the so-called “Second Semester Blues”.

“It may not always be advisable to set new year's resolutions at the beginning of the year if one is not emotionally in the right place.

“If one does not succeed in their goal it may fuel negative thoughts and feelings.  Self-awareness is important here, the more self-aware we become the truer we are to ourselves and our capabilities.

Some common factors that make the return back to college more difficult for students are homesickness, worries about exams, exam results, and financial difficulties. Homesickness is usually unique to different students; it depends on their home life.

“The purpose of family is that person is supported to become emotionally independent and to believe in one's capabilities to care for oneself.

“As we all come from different family systems homesickness is very individual and if one is not coping professional help should be considered as his/her thoughts and feelings about parents, leaving home, feeling lonely, feeling unsafe and insecurity need to be explored.

Regarding exams; “A lot of exam stress can be avoided by preparation and getting the required help from tutors.  The work needs to be done so same is down to good planning and organisation.

For most students, the thought of going back to college after the long Christmas break is more daunting than what actually lies ahead.

“(The) thought of doing anything can sometimes be a lot worse than actually doing it.

“One negative thought leads to another which fuels our feeling, one can make things real in their own minds before anything happens.

However, it is important for students to know when what they are experiencing is more than just the Second Semester Blues.

“When one finds everyday life (to be) a complete struggle and has difficulty in sleeping, eating, managing a daily routine, has no motivation, is experiencing isolation and insecurity present, one needs to seek professional help!!

“Go to a doctor and speak to friends and family, don't be afraid to ask for help.  A problem shared is a problem halved. For every problem there is a solution.

“Don't leave a thought or a feeling snowball. Seek help and ask for advice as soon as possible.