Comparison often makes us feel like the grass is greener on the other side or that others have it better or easier than us. The truth is that comparison leads us to devalue what we have and how we see ourselves. Social comparison theory was developed in 1954 by… read more
Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
Five Ways to Overcome Impostor Phenomenon
Have you heard of impostor syndrome? The psychology world has deviated from that term because the experience is not a disorder or an illness. A more accepting term is “impostorism” or simply “impostor phenomenon.” What is impostor phenomenon? Impostor phenomenon was identified in 1978 by Pauline Rose Clark and… read more
Four Steps to Managing Anxiety
Whether you are nervous about upcoming midterm exams, have a stressful situation at home or another issue entirely, anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences. What is anxiety? In simple terms, anxiety is a mental and physical state of negative expectation. It may be fueled by some form… read more
Truths of International Study that Nobody Talks About
Moving from your own country to study in the United States can seem like a journey of a million steps. So once you’ve done the hard work of gaining admission to The University of Texas at Austin, you might be surprised by this fact when you arrive on campus: The… read more
Self-Compassion and Kindness
Self-compassion and kindness toward oneself are concepts that are gaining popularity, especially in the United States. However, for many international students, this may be a new concept — or one that doesn’t necessarily align with cultural values. What is self-compassion? Compassion is a concept that describes the mind’s ability… read more
Addressing Perfectionism
You may have heard people say something like, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” But what does that mean? It’s a common response to the way that many people focus on perfection in every area, keeping themselves from improving or finishing a project. Although it’s good to strive for quality,… read more
Self-Care for Staying Safe, Healthy and Productive
It is two months into the spring semester, and by now, you possibly have a better understanding of how demanding the rest of your semester will be. Some of you might be feeling overwhelmed by all you have to do this semester, from classes and assignments to work (for those… read more
Cultural Adjustment: What Is It, Really?
Hello, international students! I am Dr. Arna Erega. I am excited to begin my second year as a counselor for international students at The University of Texas at Austin’s Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC). In this blog post, I will explore the Four Stages of Cultural Adjustment and what… read more