The First-Year Students group provides a safe and confidential space for students to share their experiences and concerns related to being a first-year college student at Harvard College.

Being a first-year student at Harvard College is a unique experience. However, while it is unique, many students face similar challenges and concerns while feeling alone in their struggles. For example, many students will feel similar stresses surrounding the creation of blocking groups, or the coursework for LS1B. This process group will allow first-year students to share and reflect on their experiences, empower each other, and hold each other accountable.

The group discussion will be open to many topics, as long as they pertain to concerns or experiences as a first-year at Harvard. For example, topics may include:

• relationships
• friendships
• the college adjustment
• general stress
• transition to the Houses
• social pressures
• academic concerns and struggles
• athletics
• family concerns
• imposter syndrome
• extracurriculars
• concerns regarding self-esteem and identity, self-care, sleep, and more.

Is this group right for me?

• If you identify as a first-year student, this group could be a great fit! The group will be especially helpful to any first-year students who are experiencing concerns with some of the listed topics and would like both peer and clinical support.
• The group may not be a good fit for students who are actively in crisis. If you are in crisis, please call 911, go to the nearest hospital, or call the CAMHS Cares Line at 617-495-2042.

No screening is required for this group. Interested students may contact Samantha Sarafin with any questions or concerns.

Location: Lamont 230

This group is open to currently enrolled first-year Harvard College (undergraduate) students who have paid the 2024-2025 Student Health Fee.

For more information, please contact Samantha Sarafin at ssarafin@huhs.harvard.edu.

MORE QUESTIONS?

What is a process group?

A process group is a type of group therapy experience in which 5-20 individuals gather together to share their concerns, struggles, and experiences in the presence of a clinician. While the individuals in the group may learn skills, strategies, tools, and insights from the clinician, they may also learn from and support each other through similar struggles and concerns. Members of the group share and reflect on their experiences, empower each other, and hold each other accountable. Though a process group has ground rules and expectations, much of the group therapy space is dedicated towards member voices, stories, and experiences.

Why create a process group for first-year students?

Being a first-year student at Harvard College is a unique experience. However, while it is unique, many students face similar challenges and concerns while feeling alone in their struggles. For example, many students will feel similar stresses surrounding the creation of blocking groups, or the coursework for LS1B. There has been an identified need in clinician caseloads at CAMHS for first-year students to gather, connect, and support each other through struggles, concerns, and reflections that are specific to the first-year experience. Specifically, many first-year students come to CAMHS with similar concerns regarding relationships, the college adjustment, transition to the Houses, new social pressures, academic concerns and struggles, and concerns regarding self-esteem and identity.

How will students be identified? Who can join the group?

In order to join this process group, members will have to be first-year students at the College. First-year students who are already being seen at CAMHS, or have care that has been facilitated through CAMHS, may be referred to the group. Additionally, the group will be advertised across campus to students in order to gather interest and support. There will be no group screening process in order to minimize barriers to entry. Though members may benefit from attending all group sessions, attending every session is not a necessary part of the treatment process.

What is the plan for the group?

The group will meet once a week throughout the spring semester, beginning on February 18. Each session will begin with a clinician statement regarding confidentiality and group ground rules and expectations. Following this statement, students will complete a check-in exercise. The clinician will then facilitate an open discussion surrounding first-year issues and concerns, with student voices being at the forefront of the conversation. Students will share aspects of their experience and offer support to others. Each session may have a specific prompt, or sessions may be left open-ended. If individuals do not feel comfortable sharing, discussion topics may be elicited through exercises such as everyone writing down what they want to talk about on a sticky note, etc.

What are the group expectations?

During the first session, the group will discuss ground rules and expectations for how the group will function and operate. These ground rules will include themes such as: confidentiality, respect, active participation, listening, and engagement (and the right to not to share), meaningful self-disclosure, and empathy. Students will be able to provide feedback and add to these ground rules. These rules and expectations will be revisited at the beginning of each group session meeting for any new members. Confidentiality policies will specifically be reviewed at the beginning of each group therapy session.

What topics will the group cover?

The group discussion will be open to many topics, as long as they pertain to concerns or experiences as a first-year at Harvard. For example, topics may include: relationships, friendships, the college adjustment, general stress, transition to the Houses, social pressures, academic concerns and struggles, athletics, family concerns, imposter syndrome, extracurriculars, concerns regarding self-esteem and identity, self-care, sleep, and more.

Is the group right for me?

If you identify as a first-year student, this group could be a great fit! The group will be especially helpful to any first-year students who are experiencing concerns with some of the listed topics and would like both peer and clinical support. The group may not be a good fit for students who are actively in crisis. If you are in crisis, please call 911, go to the nearest hospital, or call the CAMHS Cares Line at 617-495-2042.