First-year support counselling

Some reasons students may choose to see me

• Questioning the decision to attend university
• Feelings of isolation, self-doubt, discouragement
• Difficulty coping with the demands of university life
• Overwhelming stress
• Culture shock and/or feeling homesick
• Lack of motivation
• Chronic procrastination
• Difficulty making friends and connecting with peers on campus
• Difficulties associated with peer pressure or other relationship issues
• Juggling family expectations and personal goals
• Identity exploration
• Dissatisfaction with academic program
• Lack of educational and/or career direction
• Difficulty navigating the university system

Please note that the First-Year Counsellor does not offer psychotherapy services. If a student is struggling with significant anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns, they should seek help from Counselling & Psychological Services.

The Counsellor may also encourage a student to connect with other university or community resources for specialized help with specific needs (e.g. academic support, accessibility advising, etc.)

Eligibility for services

Any student in their first year of studies at Concordia is eligible for First-Year Support Counselling. Their eligibility begins when they confirm their offer of admission (and pay the $100 deposit) and continues until 12 months after they begin taking classes. This includes:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Mature students
• Transfer students from other universities
• Exchange students
• Independent students (eligible during their entire time as an independent student, and for the first year once they are admitted into a program)

Cancelling or being late for your appointment

You must cancel 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment with the First Year Support Counsellor. Please call 514-848-2424 ext. 3921 or ext. 4200 to cancel. If you expect to be late for your appointment, please email the person who sent you the Zoom invitation for your appointment to let them know. If you are more than 20 minutes late, your appointment time may be given to another student.