Spring quarter at UCSB looks different for everyone, but one consistent theme I’ve noticed is the pressure to have everything figured out by June.
For a lot of students, that pressure shows up in two ways: feeling like you need to look “summer-ready” and feeling like you need to have the perfect internship or job locked down. Both of these expectations have a quiet way of feeding insecurity that we don’t always talk about.
So let me remind you all of something — every body is a beach body. And wherever you end up this summer, you’re going to be okay, probably better than you think.
But this time of year pulls off a strange trick. Isla Vista, and everyone in it, can look like a highlight reel. Like everyone’s thriving and on the fast track to success. Underneath that, though, spring quarter is often one of the hardest stretches of the year.
Some people are about to graduate and are quietly grieving it, running through everything they wish they’d done differently. Others are stressed about how they’ll afford another year. And some are lying awake at night, scrolling, mentally cataloging every little thing they think they need to change to look like the people on their feed.
Mental Health Awareness Month Is About Action, Not Just Awareness
The struggles I’m talking about aren’t always visible, but that doesn’t make them any less real. If anything, it makes checking in on each other even more important.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. But this isn’t just about being aware that mental health matters. It’s about actually doing something about it. And that applies to everyone.
You don’t have to struggle to care about mental health. Some students don’t recognize when they’re struggling, while others know they need help but don’t know where to go or who to talk to. And many people simply want to support their friends but aren’t sure how.
Before taking on that role for others, though, you must start with yourself; this isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. You can’t show up well for others if you aren’t filling your own cup first.
How To Check In With Yourself
The first step is recognizing the less obvious signs that something might be off. Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it shows up as constant exhaustion, irritability, feeling disconnected from people, or a loss of motivation for things you used to care about.
Of course, these feelings can be normal from time to time. But when they stick around for weeks or start affecting your daily life, they’re worth paying attention to.
Instead of asking yourself, “Am I okay?” which is easy to brush off, try asking more specific questions like, “Have I felt like myself lately? What’s been draining me? When was the last time I actually felt rested?”
From there, focus on small, realistic actions. Not everything needs an immediate, dramatic fix because sometimes it’s as simple as taking a real break without feeling guilty, reaching out to a friend, or simply getting outside to make sand angels on the beach. Trust me on that last one.
Other times, it might mean taking a deeper look at what’s going on and asking for more structured support. The key is not waiting until you hit rock bottom to take yourself seriously.
How To Check In On Others
Checking in on others doesn’t require perfect wording or a big, emotional moment. A lot of the time, it just starts with paying attention.
Look for small changes. Someone who usually shows up stops coming to class. A friend who’s normally talkative becomes quieter. Someone seems “off,” even if you can’t explain why. If you notice something, say something, but keep it simple.
You don’t need a scripted speech. What you say can be as simple as, “You’ve seemed a little off. Want to talk?” What matters most isn’t what you say, it’s that you say something.
And once you do, focus on listening. Not fixing or solving, just listening. One of the biggest misconceptions about supporting someone is that you need to have the right answers. You don’t. Being present and consistent is far more valuable than saying the “perfect” thing once.
It’s also important to recognize what doesn’t help. Brushing things off with “you’ll be fine” or minimizing someone’s experience can shut them down quickly. Even if your intentions are good, it can make people feel like their struggles aren’t valid.
A Simple Reminder To Take With You
Not every struggle is visible. Not every person who looks okay actually is. This month is a good reminder, but it shouldn’t be the only time we think about it.
You don’t need to be an expert to show up for yourself or for someone else. You just need to be willing to notice, to ask, and to listen.
So take some time this month to check in with yourself, and with someone around you. It doesn’t have to be a big moment. It just has to happen.