For many incoming college freshmen, the transition from high school to college represents more than a change in classrooms. It is a change in environment, expectations, relationships and, for many students attending an HBCU, an introduction to a culture that can feel both familiar and completely new. The excitement surrounding HBCU life can come with its own pressures. Students may be preparing to make new friends, become more independent, manage demanding coursework and find their place within a campus community.
At the same time, they may be experiencing homesickness, academic anxiety, financial concerns or uncertainty about whether they will fit in.
For incoming freshman political science major Isaac Lampkin, preparing mentally has meant accepting that he does not need to have college completely figured out before arriving.
“I mentally prepared myself by reminding myself that college was going to be a completely new experience,” Lampkin said. “I knew I was going to meet new people, experience a different environment, and have more responsibilities.”
Instead of putting pressure on himself to immediately adjust, Lampkin said he has tried to give himself permission to take his time.
“I tried not to put too much pressure on myself to have everything figured out right away and instead gave myself time to adjust,” he said.
This mindset may be particularly important during the first year of college. Research on first-year students has found that students who report better mental health also tend to experience better psychosocial adjustment to college, demonstrating the connection between emotional well-being and the ability to adapt to a new academic and social environment.
Finding a place in HBCU culture
HBCUs occupy a unique place in American higher education.
For many Black students, these institutions can provide opportunities to learn in an environment centered on Black history, identity and community.
But a welcoming environment does not mean students are automatically free from pressure. The first year of college can create an expectation to find friends, become involved, perform academically and establish an identity on campus. Social media can intensify those expectations, making it easy for freshmen to compare their experiences with what they see from other students.
Lampkin recognizes that pressure.
“I think there can be pressure to fit in and feel like you have to find your group right away,” he said.
Academically, he also understands that college will require a different level of responsibility.
“College is different from high school, and you want to prove to yourself that you can handle it,” he said.
His response has been to resist comparing his journey with everyone else’s.
“I’m trying to remind myself that everyone is adjusting in their own way and that I don’t have to compare my experience to someone else’s,” he said.
The reality of being away from home
Independence is often described as one of the most exciting parts of going to college.
For freshmen, however, independence can also be emotionally difficult. Students who have spent most of their lives surrounded by family suddenly have to make decisions for themselves, manage their schedules and navigate unfamiliar situations.
Even when the transition is positive, missing home can be unavoidable.
For Lampkin, being away from home has been both challenging and beneficial.
“Being away from home has definitely been an adjustment,” he said. “Sometimes I miss being around my family and the comfort of what I’m used to.”
At the same time, he sees the distance as an opportunity to grow.
“Being away has helped me become more independent and learn how to handle things on my own,” he said.
His approach illustrates an important part of maintaining mental health during a major transition. That is acknowledging difficult emotions instead of pretending they do not exist. Homesickness does not necessarily mean a student is failing to adjust. Missing family and familiar surroundings can be part of adapting to a new stage of life.
Knowing when to step away
When stress or loneliness begins to build, Lampkin relies on simple strategies.
“When I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I usually take some time to myself and give myself a break,” he said. “I’ll call or text my family, listen to music, talk to friends, or just take some time to relax. Sometimes I just need to step away from everything for a little while and reset.”
Family support may be particularly significant for Black college students. A 2025 study examining Black male students at HBCUs found that family members, particularly parents and other relatives, were among the most trusted sources of support when students faced concerns, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Lampkin’s experience demonstrates that mental health support does not always begin in a counseling office. Sometimes it starts with a phone call home, a conversation with a friend, music, rest or simply giving yourself permission to step away.
Breaking the pressure to handle everything alone
One of the most important parts of Lampkin’s approach to his freshman year is recognizing that asking for help is not a weakness.
“Most importantly, I’m learning that it’s okay to ask for help when I need it instead of trying to handle everything by myself,” he said.
That lesson is particularly significant because research has identified stigma and limited mental health literacy as barriers to help-seeking among Black college students.
A 2025 study of Black male college students at HBCUs found that although participants demonstrated relatively high levels of mental health literacy, stigma and cultural attitudes surrounding mental health could still influence whether students sought support.
The researchers emphasized the importance of culturally sensitive interventions and stronger mental health education.
Another study conducted at an HBCU found that students underused both on- and off-campus mental health resources. Among the students surveyed, 25% said they were not aware of available mental health resources, while 39% identified lack of time as a barrier.
These findings suggest that having mental health resources available is only part of the solution. Students also need to know where those resources are, feel comfortable using them and understand that seeking assistance is a normal part of taking care of themselves.
Mental health as part of the freshman experience
For incoming freshmen, preparing for college should involve more than buying supplies, registering for classes and planning a schedule. Mental preparation matters too. That preparation can look different for every student.
For some, it may mean establishing a support system before leaving home. For others, it may mean learning how to recognize when they are overwhelmed, developing healthy routines or becoming familiar with campus counseling and wellness resources before a crisis occurs.
The U.S. Department of Education’s White House Initiative on HBCUs highlights the importance of culturally responsive mental health support for HBCU students, including efforts to expand access to therapy and campus-based mental health programming.
For students like Lampkin, maintaining mental health is about balance.
“I’m going to make sure I give myself time to rest and not let school completely take over my life,” he said.
He also plans to stay connected with family and friends and remain involved on campus. Those goals point toward a healthier definition of the freshman experience.
College does not have to be about constantly proving that you can handle everything. It can also be about learning when to slow down, when to connect with others and when to ask for support.
As incoming freshmen step onto HBCU campuses, they may feel pressure to be ready for everything—the classes, the culture, the social scene and the independence. But perhaps being ready for college does not mean having every answer. It may simply mean being willing to adjust.
For Lampkin, this means giving himself time, staying connected, taking breaks andunderstanding that asking for help is part of the process. His experience offers a reminder for other freshmen entering HBCU life: You do not have to figure everything out on day one.
You just have to give yourself permission to grow into the experience.
