Like every new student at IIT Gandhinagar, Albanese was swept up in the newness of it all. the charm of fresh independence, hostel life buzzing with energy, classes that felt different from school, and friendships that made the campus feel like a second home. Sitting over the happiness clouds, he felt like it was freedom, far away from the watchful routine of family and school.
Among the orientation activities and new experiences happening since two months, Albanese also got a request from the counselling department to connect, just like attending any other class or campus event. At first, he thought of it as optional, not really “serious.” But curiosity nudged him, and he decided to step in.
He thought it would be like the coaching center counsellors he had met before someone who guided you on academics or careers, nothing more. But as the session unfolded, something unexpected happened. In the comfort of that quiet room, without planning or pressure, Albanese found himself opening the pages of his life; the sleepless hostel nights, the pressure to perform, the peer pressure to accompany them beyond his usual sleep time, the temptation to get into a companionship born more out of need than intention, the unspoken expectations, and the silent fears of letting others down. He couldn’t explain how it happened, but he felt safe. Words flowed, silences didn’t feel awkward, and for the first time in months, he felt light. The counsellor listened not just to his words, but also to the silence behind them. They explored together how stress, lifestyle habits, family expectations, challenges in adapting to new environments and peer pressures were shaping Albanese’s mental health. For the first time, Albanese saw how seeking help wasn’t weakness rather it was a step toward holistic growth. That’s the unnoticed yet vital role of a counselling psychologist helping students like Albanese release the weight they silently carry, guiding them toward healthier coping, and reminding them that well-being is more than grades or deadlines.
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