College is a great adventure filled with anticipation, fear, excitement and every emotion in between. There’s the excitement of a new chapter in life; there’s the fear that goes along with stepping out of your comfort zone and the anticipation of balancing college classes and everything else.
While moving into the next phase of life is exciting, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting.
Middle Tennessee State University offers a variety of resources to help its students no matter where they are in their college journey.
“Students have enough to worry about on a daily basis, so anywhere we can cut down on their time and stress, we like to do so,” said Dr. Tyler Henson, Registrar
From free tutoring and counseling services to a student food pantry and everything in between, MTSU has it to help students who need it.
“MTSU invests in services that are focused on student success,” Henson said.
With around 20,000 students and thousands of employees, MTSU prides itself on its small-town feel.
“It sounds cliché, but MTSU really is a large school that provides a small school atmosphere. We pride ourselves in providing as much personal attention to students as possible, so they don’t feel like a number or get lost in the crowd,” said Henson.
Free tutoring
MTSU offers free tutoring in over 180 courses in subjects like biology, history, computer information systems, physics, math, economics, recording industry, study skills, learning strategies and more. Sessions are offered both in-person and virtually. “Tutors also help with time management, note-taking and other things that help students be successful,” said Dr. Cornelia Wills, Director of Student Success. Schedule a session at mtsu.edu/studentsuccess.
Student food pantry
Located inside the second floor of the Student Services and Admissions Center in the MT One Stop, the pantry began in 2012. It provides free food, personal hygiene products and other household items. The pantry has been visited around 10,000 times by students in need and has collected more than 175,000 pounds of food. Students can visit the pantry Monday through Friday or submit a request online at mtsu.edu/foodpantry. Donations are accepted.
Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center
Located in the heart of campus inside the Keathley University Center, the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center at a public or private university in Tennessee. The Daniels Center has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and their loved ones since opening in 2015. Veterans and their families do not have to be enrolled at MTSU to use its services. “If you need help, we’ll help you,” said retired Lieutenant General Keith Huber.
MTSU Counseling Services
MTSU offers counseling services to students enrolled in the current semester free of charge. Located on the third floor of the Keathley University Center, MTSU Counseling Services provides individual, short-term counseling sessions, groups and other resources a student may need. “We do not want to be in a situation where students have to wait for access to care. We don’t want students who are really struggling to have to wait weeks just to have the opportunity to speak with a mental health professional,” said Director Dr. Mary Kaye Anderson. Call 615-898-2670 for more information or visit mtsu.edu/counseling.
