Posted: Friday, March 11, 2016

College is a time for experiencing new things and becoming the person you want to be. But it’s not always easy. With all your day-to-day responsibilities and the pressure to figure out what to do with the rest of your life, things can get pretty hectic.

According to a survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 73% of college student respondents had experienced a mental health issue on campus, and 64% of students who dropped out attributed it to a mental health-related issue. All the test prep, essays, and extracurriculars can be pretty overwhelming, so here are 6 tips to keep in mind:

Make your health a priority. When you’re trying to make the most of your college experience, healthy habits can fall to the wayside. With all you have to do, make time for 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Make sure to get plenty of fruits and veggies into your diet and if you choose to drink, keep it to a moderate level. These simple things can go a long way with keeping you on track.

Set Goals. According to Allison Bernier, TPC’s director of Care Integration, “Setting small, attainable goals is a key to success, and simple routines can be what make all the difference." Whether it’s dividing a huge project into manageable chunks or reading a few pages of history notes every night, keeping things small-scale will make everything easier in the long run.

Reward yourself. Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a reward for sticking to the goals you’ve made. Planning out some fun spring break or summer activities can keep you mind on the good things in store after you get through this endless amount of work!

Manage your schedule. Many college students try to take on everything that comes their way, but all those drama rehearsals and sports practices can take up your entire schedule. Sometimes saying “no” is the best thing you can do for your health. Take a look at your schedule and figure out what you can and can’t handle based on your studies; it’s probably ok to skip a practice once in a while in favor of getting some sleep.

Cut Down on distractions. If you find yourself browsing Facebook every five minutes or getting sucked into conversations with roommates while trying to study, it’s probably time to focus on cutting out the distractions. Try downloading a productivity app or setting a 30-minute timer and giving yourself a short break at the end. It’s also important to be pragmatic when it comes to picking your study group; if you know you’ll be chatting the whole time, it’s probably best to go it alone.

Reach out for support. Just because your friends may not talk about feeling overwhelmed, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. “Know that you are not alone and a peer is likely going through the same experience. There’s also nothing wrong with seeking professional help if problems persist and interfere with your daily functioning,” said Bernier.

At the end of the day, perspective is key. Think about this: are the objects of your stress likely to matter a few years down the road? The difference between an A and an A- likely isn’t worth a lot of mental anguish.