Bird following one in college initially handled with hesitation (10)
I believe the answer is:
kingfisher
'bird following one in college' is the definition.
'kingfisher' can be an answer for 'bird' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'following one in college' bit.
'initially handled with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'initially handled' becomes 'kingfish' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hesitation' becomes 'er' (sound made while hesitating - um, er).
'kingfish'+'er'='KINGFISHER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for kingfisher that I've seen before include "Colourful riverside bird" , "big-headed beaky type" , "flyer" , "Creature" , "Colourful bird seen by streams and rivers" .)