College is here!
College is an exciting moment in a young person’s life, filled with new opportunities, new people, and self-discovery. For many it is the first time they will be away from home for an extended period of time, in which they have to learn how to be independent without their parents. Classes are going to be harder. It can prove to be overwhelming and quite challenging to manage all the changes that occur in college.
College and Mental Health
Those challenges are even more difficult if you are facing a mental health condition. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five college students face a mental condition, and nearly three-quarters of mental conditions emerge by age 24. When you are not mentally stable it can prove to be harder to focus on school which in turn can affect your academic performance. Hence why it is so important that you learn how to balance school and your mental health.
Here’s What You Can Do
Below are seven things to remember and or do this school year that can help you to balance school and your mental health.
- Time management allows students to complete more in less time, become more productive, and boost their academic performance. Efficient use of time also reduces stress, as students are able to mark items off their to-do list. This then provides them with more time to rest and do things that they enjoy!
- Learn how to manage stress. It is important that you learn how to manage stress for both your mental and physical health. Finding a coping skill that works for YOU will help you tolerate, minimize, and deal with stressful situations in life. Examples of coping skills include exercising, drawing, listening to music, reading a book, or even taking a shower.
- Have a support team. Building a support team is a mental health tip for college students that should be done by everyone. Seek community, and reach out to your peers,professors, and family members. It is helpful to assign positions to each person on your support team. For example, a professor is going to be the one you email when you are having trouble with an assignment, a friend is going to be the person you call when you’ve had a rough day, or when you are feeling homesick.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. Many believe that the party life is what college is all about. Oftentimes students will turn to drugs and alcohol to help them “relax” after enduring a stressful week. What they do not realize is that drugs and alcohol keep you from relaxing. They create problems, not solve them. And the negative aftereffects can last for days if not longer. Repercussions from using drugs and alcohol can include waking up with a hangover, being late to class, sleep issues, and embarrassing yourself. It is also important to know that drugs and alcohol can also increase the nervous system side effects of antidepressants medications.
- Remember you are not alone. It is common for college students to feel alone, especially if they are attending a school in a new place that isn’t close to home. And this is why it is important to build that support team. Inform yourself on the counseling services that your campus has to offer.
- Don’t forget to take care of your body. Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water. Regular physical activity can help decrease stress and lead to a happier mood. It is also important that you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. When we are lacking sleep, Our bodies are not able to produce enough serotonin, dopamine, and other chemicals to keep stress, anxiety, and depression at a minimum.
- Don’t allow school to consume your life. It is important for your mental health that you find time for yourself and your hobbies. Trust me, studying can wait. Your brain deserves a break. Go explore the campus and see what it has to offer. Read a book. Hang out with friends.
This post was written by Hana Hollenbeck, a psychology major at SUNY Cortland, and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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