College students schedule their own classes and determine how many credits they will take. Unlike high school, there are few restrictions as to how they spend their free time. For some teens, handling this freedom can be daunting. They must juggle course requirements with job and family commitments as well as their social lives. For many young people, finding the right balance can be difficult. Some develop sleep deprivation problems or turn to drugs or alcohol to cope.
Eating disorders can happen frequently in teens who away from home for the first time and living in a dormitory. A nutritious and balanced diet is often a casualty. Junk food is consumed regularly, meals are skipped, fitness goes out the door and weight gain is often inevitable. Some teens pack on pounds, especially during their freshman year in college if they are not living at home, often known as the "Freshman 15."
Many colleges have a diverse student body, comprised of students of many different races, religions and gender preferences. A university setting offers an opportunity to share divergent opinions about controversial subject matter. Some teens, especially from small communities, have a difficult time finding those who share their values. Homesickness and isolation are additional problems they face.
Some college sororities and fraternities have ritualistic initiation procedures that are not disclosed. New "pledges" may be asked to take on physical, and possibly humiliating, challenges and are sworn to secrecy. While many colleges severely ban hazing, these problems still persist. Teens face the problem of coming forward to a counselor and facing scorn from peers or suffering silently.