The Hustle mindset
Many college students are always on the go when it comes to academics and social life. It can be hard to balance social life with school, along with keeping yourself in check and making time to enjoy the things you love to do. With that being said, about more than half of college students agree that they have endured psychological stress from academics or financial concerns. It is a nationwide epidemic, and the mental health of college students can be overshadowed by American work culture. We are taught to grind through no matter the circumstances, and give it your all towards academic success. We are taught that by making the impossible possible, we are one step closer to achieving the American dream. This is not a bad mindset to have, but when it comes to taking a toll on one’s mental health, it’s a good idea to step back and re-evaluate what is more important. With that mentioned, it is a proven fact that the average American works about 47 hours per week and has less time off for vacation or personal reasons. Besides having longer hours, many women face harassment in the workplace, and don’t have equal pay or paid maternity leave. This is a sharp contrast compared to the working culture in Europe. Many European countries allow their citizens to work less hours and have time for coffee breaks or Siestas (nap times in Spain). This allows their citizens to wind down and take time for themselves before returning to work. American work culture has taken a toll on BIPOC individuals as well, and has a history of exploiting workers for the benefit of mass production. This concept of work also takes a toll on the student population as they are preparing to embark on a journey that is always on-the-go. With that said, the need for rest is for everybody and something that should be prioritized for the common good.
Prioritizing Rest
Remember to check in with yourself. As students, we can be caught up with projects, assignments and studying for upcoming exams. It is easy to get carried away and forget that it’s dinner time or time to go to a club meeting you enjoy. Work culture consumes American universities, and many striving to get a near-perfect GPA are motivated to continue working without acknowledging rest. This is a perfect example of burning out and putting on more stress in one’s academic career. With that said, students who prioritize rest are able to continue doing what they love without burning out. Make sure to take a piece of your day to hit the gym, eat lunch with a friend, or immerse yourself with something you love such as painting, playing an instrument, or taking a walk. Finding joy in the little things is the key to having a balanced, restful experience in college.
Rest at Uconn
UConn recently had a Change Grant Project called Rest is Revolution. This event was initiated by Shelby Houghton who invited students to take a moment from being on-the-go and immerse themselves in a guided meditation session. Students were able to drink hot tea, chill on the yoga mats and learn how to do a guided meditation. The movement was to acknowledge that rest is a form of protest against the industrialized labor demands in today’s society. It also challenges the concept of fulfilling the “American Dream,” and allows students to partake in self-care. Furthermore, students can have more restful experiences by taking a piece of their day to do a meditation, yoga session, or going through a self-care checklist. Rest is not procrastination and is a way to get re-aligned with what you need. It’s a way to continue when things get hard academically, and allows time for yourself. Don’t quit, simply rest.
“Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do for body and soul”
Erica Layne