6 Mental Health Tips for College Students

6 Mental Health Tips for College Students

 

6 Mental Health Tips for College Students College is supposed to be a time to learn, grow and have a little fun. Students gain the knowledge they need for their future careers, while at the same time, having fun bonding with their classmates and exploring the boundaries of their young age.

But what happens when mental health problems arise? Study pressure can cause anxiety, and students who are away from home for the first time, away from parents, siblings and friends they grew up with, can suffer from depression. Fortunately, you can prevent and deal with the mental health challenges that college can bring. Here are six tips to help you thrive and enjoy the college experience to the fullest.

1) Take time for self-care

Self-care is one way to balance your mental health. Taking time to do something you love, whether it's arts and crafts, getting lost in a book (reading for fun), walking in the park or watching a movie, helps keep you from stressing out. Even if it's 30 minutes a day, every minute of self-care time helps.

2) Enroll in hybrid classes

If you are a student in the School of Continuing Studies, try enrolling in hybrid classes. Hybrid classes, like Dean's College, include a mix of both in-person class time and online lectures and assignments. The mix can be good for a student's mental health, as they get extra time to learn at their own pace outside of the classroom (as long as they meet their assignment deadlines, of course) and get a chance to relax a bit instead. Constantly running to get to class on time.

3) Don't take too much

Biting off more than one can chew is a common place mistake for college students. All of these extracurricular activities may seem like fun, but it's important to know when enough is enough. Balancing a full course load, a part-time job and numerous activities can lead to a life where you don't get enough sleep and feel constantly on edge. Knowing when to say "no" to joining another club or activity is important!

4) Know when to enlist expert help

There are many people on campus available to help those struggling with their mental health. Every student should have an advisor or mentor (or both) to whom they can turn when they need guidance. Also, there is nothing wrong with seeking help from a professional psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist when things become too much to handle. That's exactly what they're there for – to help you!

5) Get plenty of sleep

Sleep, ah, sweet sleep! This is one thing that college students can never seem to get enough of. But to stay mentally healthy you need to get at least six to eight hours a night. Those mythical all-nighters that students brag about can be avoided, as long as you're not late for work. Getting enough sleep is definitely important to keep your mental health in check.

6) Eat a healthy diet

Additionally, students are required to follow a healthy diet. It is very easy to fall into the trap of eating pizza and junk food every day. Eating unhealthy and highly processed foods can make you feel physically ill, which can negatively affect your mental health. Stick to a healthy diet and eat lots of fruits and vegetables instead.

Prioritizing your mental health in college is the best thing any college student can do. And with these six simple tips, you can help stave off burnout and depression, or find some relief when college stress sets in.