Beat Back-to-School Blues: Mental Health Hacks for College Students
Effective Strategies for Managing Workloads, Routines, and Social Pressures in University Life
BLOG | ARCHIVE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | Issue #25
For college students with mental health conditions, school can be especially stressful. Here are some of my personal hurdles and how I overcame them.
Heavy Workloads and Exam Periods
Throughout the semester, intense academic demands worsened my depression and anxiety. My survival kit included:
Regular, scheduled study sessions.
Breaking tasks into smaller pieces.
Using tutors and study groups for exam prep.
Asking professors for accommodations when needed.
Disruptions to Routines and Sleep Patterns
New semesters or breaks threw off my schedule, which messed with my ADHD. Sleep deprivation made things worse. Here’s how I fought back:
Sticking to a regular sleep schedule, aiming for 7-9 hours each night.
Crafting a daily routine and sticking to it, even during breaks.
Practicing good sleep hygiene: turning off devices before bed, keeping my room dark and cool.
Easing into new routines each semester.
Social Pressures and Isolation
Social situations were hard because of my anxiety. Initially, I felt isolated and struggled to fit in. My game-changers were:
Joining student clubs that matched my interests, like my sci-fi/fantasy club.
Using campus mental health resources.
Practicing self-care and setting boundaries in social situations, like telling friends when I needed solo study time.
Attending therapy sessions to develop coping strategies.
Prioritizing mental health and seeking support helped me navigate college life. Try out my strategies and see if they work for you. Have other strategies that worked for you? Feel free to share them in the comments!
Love what you're reading? Forward this email to someone who will like it and…