mental Health in College
mental Welness As a College Student
by Kyleigh Dixon, Civil Engineering '22
College is a journey that consists of change, trials, and hardships that lead to growth, happiness, and success. As students we are put under a lot of pressure to succeed in our classes. This pressure comes from all different directions such as our parents, our peers, our professors, and even ourselves. Plus, we have individual stress from our lives outside of school. I have found through my college journey that if I do not keep my mental health in check, I will not be able to handle the everyday duties I need to complete. In order to reach the growth, happiness, and success ahead of us we must prioritize ourselves and our minds.
I could easily go on about all the stresses I have and how anxiety has weighed me down through the years. Instead, I am going to give you a guide to the best ways I have been able to battle through my trying times. Firstly, it is important to flood your mind with positive thoughts. The best way I have found to do this is to insert positive influences into my everyday life. The podcasts I listen to, the books I read, the music I like, and the pages I follow on social media. I have spent time researching to find the right influences I need to keep my mind positive. Next, I dive into a hobby I love such as taking care of my plants. While this may seem like a silly and simple task, I find serious joy in taking care of my plants. I think being able to water and watch them grow gives me a sense of peace. This peace of looking at my plants on my window seal brings me happiness and pride. Any hobby that gives you happiness and pride is so important to hold onto. With the struggles of school and going through everyday life finding happiness is so important. Lastly, exercise. Take a walk. I have the hardest time getting up and making time for exercise, but even a thirty-minute walk can do wonders for your body. It is proven that your physical health relates to your mental health. Your mind and body function together so, help your mind by moving your body. I enjoy taking a walk and listening to my positive podcasts. I highly recommend trying this for at least three days a week. Not only is this a great practice to improve your mental health, but it also gives you an excuse to take a break from studying. Schedule the things that help your mental health into your day.
mental wellness journeys are never easy. It is extremely common for college students to struggle with mental illnesses. I recommend trying any of the tips I mentioned that help me or doing your own research. Everyone is different and different bodies need different things, but you must make sure you give your body what it needs. In order to perform at your best, you have to be in good shape mentally. Any time the pressures seem too hard just remember you are on a campus with multiple students that feel the same way as you. You are not alone and you will get through this!
I could easily go on about all the stresses I have and how anxiety has weighed me down through the years. Instead, I am going to give you a guide to the best ways I have been able to battle through my trying times. Firstly, it is important to flood your mind with positive thoughts. The best way I have found to do this is to insert positive influences into my everyday life. The podcasts I listen to, the books I read, the music I like, and the pages I follow on social media. I have spent time researching to find the right influences I need to keep my mind positive. Next, I dive into a hobby I love such as taking care of my plants. While this may seem like a silly and simple task, I find serious joy in taking care of my plants. I think being able to water and watch them grow gives me a sense of peace. This peace of looking at my plants on my window seal brings me happiness and pride. Any hobby that gives you happiness and pride is so important to hold onto. With the struggles of school and going through everyday life finding happiness is so important. Lastly, exercise. Take a walk. I have the hardest time getting up and making time for exercise, but even a thirty-minute walk can do wonders for your body. It is proven that your physical health relates to your mental health. Your mind and body function together so, help your mind by moving your body. I enjoy taking a walk and listening to my positive podcasts. I highly recommend trying this for at least three days a week. Not only is this a great practice to improve your mental health, but it also gives you an excuse to take a break from studying. Schedule the things that help your mental health into your day.
mental wellness journeys are never easy. It is extremely common for college students to struggle with mental illnesses. I recommend trying any of the tips I mentioned that help me or doing your own research. Everyone is different and different bodies need different things, but you must make sure you give your body what it needs. In order to perform at your best, you have to be in good shape mentally. Any time the pressures seem too hard just remember you are on a campus with multiple students that feel the same way as you. You are not alone and you will get through this!
