Managing your classes, friends, and family can take up most of your time in college that usually, you don’t have enough time left over for yourself. It’s easy to get caught in this trap, but there are ways to focus on your mental health while tackling a busy schedule.
1. Spend some time alone.
In college, you spend most of your time surrounded by people in loud, crowded spaces. When you feel yourself getting anxious, try and get some time alone. Sometimes, all you really need is to watch Netflix or read for a little bit. When I feel overwhelmed, I like to go back to my dorm, turn all the lights off and lay in bed for twenty minutes. It gives me a chance to slowly process everything that has happened during the day and to focus on how I am feeling.
2. Dedicate periods of time to studying.
As important as extracurriculars are, remember that you are here to get an education. If you find yourself stressing out over exams, it might be because you’re lacking enough time to study. When in doubt, set aside a dedicated time to study every day and personal deadlines to make steady progress in your classes. For me, I like to write down in my calendar when, where, and what exactly I need to study.
3. Keep track of everything in your calendar.
I’ve always been that girl who thinks she can remember it all and fit any information in the back of her head. Then, I get a text or an email reminding me of a coffee date or meeting I had completely forgotten about and I get really freaked out. It’s much easier to plan ahead of time and not miss any event when you have it all written down in your calendar. Choose whatever method (either the Google Calendar app on your phone or a small notebook to carry in your bag) works best for you and make sure your calendar is accessible at all times! This will avoid additional unnecessary stress.
4. Seek help.
Whether you feel more comfortable talking with your friends, professors, club supervisors, employer, or therapist, reach out to someone when you need some help. It’s more than okay to lean on people!
5. Get sleep.
Lack of sleep has such a negative impact on your mood, productivity, and overall happiness. When I get less than 7 hours of sleep, my anxiety automatically gets worse. Do yourself a favor and get those seven to eight hours of sleep every night and you will see a difference sooner than you think!
6. Eat healthily.
You’ve heard this kind of advice a billion times, now is the time to actually follow it. Drink tea rather than coffee, skip the second burger of the day, and get those vitamins from fruits and vegetables inside your body!
7. Set small challenges.
Sometimes, thinking about the future can be overwhelming. Start small: make an appointment at the Career Center, work on your LinkedIn profile, or begin conversations about your post-grad plans with professors and friends who know you well. Tackle one task at a time and the whole process will seem less daunting.
8. Create routines.
For me, the ever-changing character of a day in college is extremely nerve-wracking. I need to have a routine that shapes my day and then work around this routine rather than change it all every single day. Maybe having a go-to breakfast at a set time or a specific order in which you do things before going to sleep can help.
9. Have a cozy dorm.
My essentials to a cozy dorm: string lights, soft rug, and blankets. There also needs to be calming inspirational quotes, photos of your family and friends, tea packets and chocolate.
10. Try to work out regularly.
Don’t get me wrong, I went to the FitRec TWICE last semester. I’m not big on sports or anything, but I’ve come to realize that I feel so much better when I workout regularly. I get sick less easily and I channel my frustration in my hatred for the treadmill twice a week now! It’s less about “getting in shape” and more about taking care of your body and finding an outlet for your emotions.
At the end of the day, anxiety is still hard to live with, but implementing these small changes can go a long way in improving your mental health. There will be some days where all you do is survive, and that is already huge. Always be proud of yourself for fighting for your college education and your life! Go you, and go BU!
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