While school education may be easy to get through with parental support, higher education is a different story altogether as students cope with teen pressure and are exposed to a new environment. They must also deal with their personality as college prepares them for adulthood.

For many students a guiding hand that could help them in this intimidating transition could be most welcome.

The State government has come forward to serve this need. Initially, a group of its colleges will have a counsellor whose help can be sought.

The colleges will have psychotherapists who will help the students meet the challenges of the new phase of their life.

Higher Education Secretary K. Ganesan said, "When colleges reopen, there will be counsellors who will help the students face the first year. Such counselling will help during examination time also."