CSEDU Addresses Mental Health Challenges Among 31st Batch Entrants
On 13 July, 2025: The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSEDU) at the University of Dhaka organized a seminar titled “Mental Health and Well-Being Challenges Among Freshman CSE Students.” The event took place from 2 PM to 4:30 PM in the Department Auditorium on the 6th floor. It was coordinated by volunteers from Batch 30, under the supervision of the department, to support the newly admitted Batch 31 students in safeguarding their psychological well-being while navigating the rigorous CSE curriculum.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. Syed Tanveer Rahman, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Dhaka. Utilizing both research and counseling practices, Prof. Rahman identified nine primary stressors faced by first-year CSE majors. He highlighted the pressure to perform academically and the anxiety stemming from heavy course loads, particularly in programming and algorithms. These challenges often lead to insomnia and feelings of inadequacy among freshmen. He further discussed the difficulties of adapting to university life, such as culture shock and homesickness, as well as the risks of social isolation for students who find it challenging to make new friends.
Prof. Rahman also pointed out issues related to digital fatigue and technology overload due to excessive screen time from lectures, coding, and gaming. He indicated that the persistent stigma surrounding mental health often prevents many from recognizing early signs of depression or anxiety. Additional concerns highlighted included career indecision, anxiety about internships and job prospects, unhealthy lifestyle choices—such as skipping meals and insufficient sleep—gender-related challenges faced by female students in a male-dominated field, and occasional substance use as a response to peer pressure.
In response to these challenges, he proposed a multi-level support structure that includes orientation modules on mental health topics, peer support "buddy" programs, on-campus professional counseling services, staff training to identify distress signals early, and department-level initiatives promoting balanced technology use, physical exercise, and healthy sleep habits.
The presentation resonated well with the audience. During the subsequent Q&A session, many freshmen asked about balancing project deadlines with self-care. Prof. Rahman emphasized the importance of time management skills and taking short breaks away from screens.
In conclusion, Session Chair Dr. Md Abdur Razzaque expressed gratitude to Prof. Rahman for his insights and encouraged Batch 31 to remember the message that “only resilient, well-supported minds can fully leverage the power of computer science.” He reaffirmed CSEDU's commitment to integrating mental health awareness into its educational environment and invited students to participate in the upcoming peer mentoring program introduced at the seminar.
CSEDU is extremely thankful to Prof. Rahman, and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering for organizing this valuable event during the Freshers’ Reception.