What can you do when you're middle-aged and dealing with a college student....?

Question

that seems really sensitive. She doesn't joke around, and she is always apologizing. Her hair is messy and she only wears jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. She also seems slightly paranoid. She always thinks people are being mistreating her.

Answer 1

she sounds like she's had a tough life. you could be a mother/father figure to her(sorry i'm not sure what s*x you are) good luck

Answer 2

You need to give us the rest of the details.  Who is this college student?  Who are you?  What's the relationship?  Why do you care what she wears or what she thinks?

It's one thing if you're her dad and you're trying to help your shy and socially backward daughter grow a backbone.  It's completely different if you're a 40-something married man using this girl as your honey on the side.

And there are a thousand combinations between those 2 extremes.  But without some details, it's hard to answer you.