Can College Friendships and Severe Social Anxiety Work?

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:39:27 -0400
anxiety, autism, ben, disability, friendship, health, inclusion, mental, rolnick, severe, social, transition, welcome

Going back to school can spark both excitement and stress, as students navigate social circles and workload. For 21-year-old college student Ben Rolnick, who suffers from severe social anxiety, meeting new people and facilitating conversation present a challenge -- but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think they’re worth it. Rolnick offers his brief but spectacular take on seeking acceptance here:

https://youtu.be/mOHngOg-w_4

Three minute video is courtesy of PBS Newshour,

It's Welcome Week, and this video is a great reminder that all students want to be genuinely welcomed and accepted, so put your best self out there!

While there are resources:

Student Disability Services for academic accommodations in Math/Psychology 212 and online at sds.umbc.edu

The Counseling Center is near Erickson Field and online at counseling.umbc.edu

We co-create the campus community, so take a note from this student and bring openness and acceptance to Welcome Week, and embrace the awkward of new beginnings. Happy New School Year UMBC!