The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health: Essential Wellness Strategies for Flourishing in College

by Mia Nosanow

Easy, accessible guidance for addressing an essential element to college mental health

While being in college can be an exciting time, it can also be a period of uncertainty, anxiety, loneliness, and even depression. The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health is for any college student who wants to understand and maintain mental and emotional health.

Mia Nosanow, a licensed psychologist and college therapist, has drawn upon her more than twenty years of direct experience counseling a diverse college student body to write a comprehensive mental and emotional health manual designed specifically for college students.

Presented in clear, practical language and organized in short chapters, this book breaks down common problems and provides actionable strategies for addressing them. Whether students want to understand challenging emotions, transform negative thoughts, improve relationships, or explore the connection between time management and mental health, these topics and more can be found in this one book — a valuable tool for college students as well as the families and professionals who support them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Self Help, Mental Health

368 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

Mia Nosanow is a licensed psychologist who has specialized in college mental health for over 25 years. She is the author of The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health: Essential Wellness Strategies for Flourishing in College (a finalist of the Minnesota Book Awards), and writes a regular blog on college mental health for Psychology Today. She has been featured on Good Morning America, presented at multiple conferences, and conducted numerous higher education workshops with students, staff and families. Mia is passionate about promoting mental health literacy and skills to families and their college students. She holds a BA from Carleton College and an MA in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is the mother of two adult sons, and lives with her husband in St. Paul.

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant book would have aided me twenty years ago. As someone commented, the title is very specific.

Mia Nosanow wrote The College Student’s Guide to Mental Health, and it came out recently enough to mention Coronavirus.

Nosanow covers thirty-five different aspects of college life that students find troubling or difficult. The first chapters deal with sustaining a healthy body since that is the foundation of a sound mind. Her most important piece of advice is getting enough sleep.

On another note, the topic that was the most fascinating was on procrastination. That was my Achilles heel back in college.

Other topics include making friends, intimacy, substance use, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism.

The book offers advice for each problem, and tells you when to seek professional help.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly thorough and readable book that our family can't recommend highly enough. We purchased this book to support us as parents of a college freshman, and have ended up sharing it with her therapist who is using it in their sessions! I wish it had been around when I was in college, especially as I didn't have the courage at the time to actually see a counselor. The author's experience as a college mental health counselor is immediately apparent; her words "ring true." The examples from the author's experience really make the book come alive, and relatable for our teen. So many relevant topics are covered--starting with a focus on developing basic self-care routines (getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, movement/exercise & substance use). Also, how to make friends, develop strong self-esteem, develop good study habits--this book really does cover everything. A bonus: much of the content is applicable to both teens and adults--I learned a few things along the way! Makes a wonderful gift for parents, teens, teachers and therapists.

[Alison Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former teacher of first year college students and mentor to high school I found this book invaluable, a must read for college and high school students as they learn about themselves and the manage young adulthood in an academic setting. The book's engaging, approachable style and important information also makes The College Student's Guide to Mental Health an excellent resource for parents, teachers, guidance counselors and mentors to these young people. I keep buying more copies to give to people and wish that I'd read it when I was an undergrad.

[Emily Kunash · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent resource for emerging adults!! This succinct guidebook provides basic mental wellness tools, thought provoking questions, and knowledge that is scientifically and anecdotally supported! Mia presents the information in short, manageable chapters with resources if you would like more information on that topic. It’s structured well so you can absorb the information easily and reference quickly if needed. Highly recommended for emerging adults!!

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a light treatment on various "isms," and lacking intersectionality; not particularly inclusive of non traditionally aged college students nor those living at home, etc. However, overall a lot of important topics for consideration with good starting points for self-reflection, growth, and positive change. I recommend my son who attends a university read this book but I'm not sure how many of my community college students I would recommend this to.

[Deborah Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a college professor and this is the book I lend out to students. The author is clearly an experienced and compassionate clinician, who offers clear, practical advice. Every college student should own a copy.

[Christian Collis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit skeptical when my mom demanded I read this at first, but I actually found the book very engaging with a lot of helpful tips that I’ve been able to apply to my life.

[Mathilde Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for college-bound teenagers and their families. Everything you need to know about well-being on campus.