By Chaamy Yapa
Starting to feel classes are getting a little heavier than they should? Is it that time of year when you are starting to pull all-nighters just to finish a paper due the next day or to cram study for a midterm? These all seem like good ideas at the moment but continuously holding these habits will bring you long-term trouble. As a college student, it is vital to monitor your mental health throughout all the challenges that may arise with a very demanding schedule. The pressure to keep up with all these responsibilities can be exhausting and can bring you additional stress and anxiety. This is why it is crucial to understand how to balance life activities while prioritizing self-care at the same time. Anything is possible, you just need the drive and organization to be able to manage it.
In this blog, I will walk you through some of my favorite ways of self-care. Hopefully, you will learn some key tips for taking care of yourself this semester while you allocate time for all your academic commitments:
Build a Routine: If your weeks consist of regular classes and work shifts, you will need to build a routine around these activities. If you have morning classes and night work shifts, allocate time for studying before your classes or after you come back from work. Create a time limit of how many hours a day you will need to complete assignments/homework so that there is a day blocked off (maybe every Friday) for a break. With a well-organized schedule, you will improve your time management and productivity without wasting your time and ending up creating unnecessary stress leading to procrastination, etc.
Find Unique Outlets: Pick a place to go to, a thing to do, or a person to be around as a way of unwinding for the week. Engage in a unique activity like attending an art gallery, going to a musical concert, journaling, meditating, yoga, etc. Do not neglect time for yourself; rest is important and absolutely necessary as a college student. You are not meant to work and exhaust yourself continuously.
Seek Help When Needed: You do not have to go through anything alone, there is always support out there whether it be in your family, friends, faculty on campus, etc. If you are already on a path where you are struggling with your mental health, do not hesitate to get help. Seeking help is a sign of strength and honor especially when you are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.
Sleep is Crucial: Sleep is something every human needs to be able to function every day. Without 7-9 hours of quality sleep, your mind and body cannot recover from the spending of energy during the day. Sacrificing sleep for the sake of academics and work is not the right move and will only cause you excess stress.
CUNY offers resources for mental health and wellness that can help you succeed in school and meet your essential needs. Visit www.healthycuny.org and click on the “Resources” tab to learn more.