Despite the serenity of Maine and the beauty of the campus, student life at Colby can be demanding and stressful. Some students find college a time of uncertainty, of painful separation from home, or of intellectual and moral confusion. Family support can be particularly helpful during difficult times. In fact, some students who weren't especially close to their parents during high school come to rely more heavily on their families for emotional support after they leave for college.
Some students turn to the informal support network within their residence halls.
Roommates and friends are invaluable sources of counsel and advice. Each hall is supervised by a head resident and resident assistants, all of whom are specially trained to help out when needed. When more structured assistance is called for, students can turn to any of a number of offices and counselors who are willing to listen and offer advice when appropriate. Each student receives a detailed brochure describing the personal and academic counseling services available. This office is staffed by a number of caring professionals who assist students with all aspects of their lives at Colby.