Prioritizing mental health has been a challenge for college students for many years. Between the workload and transitioning to living on your own, making time for yourself and your mental health can be hard. While it is important to learn how to live on your own and adjust, colleges need to make an effort to ensure they’re doing what they can to instill healthy habits among their students. Universities must put thoughtful consideration into their programs to ensure they are doing what is best for the mental and physical health of their students. I believe allowing facilities to be open 24/7 instills a culture of putting work and academic success over mental and physical wellbeing.
The Gelman Library here at GWU is open 24/7 which I feel enables students to push for academic success while forgoing sleep or relaxation. The student body here, generally, is a stressed group of hard workers. While I think hard work is important, health is moreso. I appreciate there are night owls who prefer to stay up late to study, however being open 24/7, especially on the weekends, is encouraging and enabling students to prioritize work over health.
Sleep deprivation is something a younger body can typically manage, however there are still serious side effects to it. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a lack of sleep can lead hindered alertness and impaired memory, both of these effects would correspond poorly with school. Along with seeing a lack of sleep, having the library open at all times lets students forget that there is productivity in rest. Just relaxing is productive in its own ways, it lets your brain recharge and be more productive after a break.
There are pros and cons to 24/7 libraries but either way there should be more of an emphasis on mental and physical health. One thing I do to not let my work consume me is having a “books down day.” This is a day I set aside and do not touch a book through the day. This gives me the chance to relax and it motivates me during the week to get my work done so I can take this time. Another thing I try to do is study in the University Student Center because it closes at midnight which helps me wrap things up and recognize that I need to go to bed. I also try to not study in my dorm because this helps my subconscious recognize that my dorm is a place of relaxation not studying.
Everyone has different ways though to prioritize health but we only get one body, treat it right. Take care of yourself today and throughout your college experience. You, your physical and mental health matter.