College is the time in life when people have the most freedom. This independence comes with opportunities such as academic pursuits, meeting new people, moving into a new house such as IQ weaver place or IQ tufnell house and having more time to learn about yourself. While this freedom allows you to try new things and broaden your horizons, it also comes with external pressures. These stresses can result in high-stress levels and mental health issues.
More than a quarter of university students have been afflicted or treated by a practitioner for a mental health condition, the most common of which is anxiety. Distress is another prevalent mental illness among this population and frequently coexists with anxiety.
Students often feel overwhelmed when juggling academic work, internships, clubs, and the social life that comes with college, and they neglect their health priorities. Several UA experts said students must balance their mental, physical, and social health to excel in college and other life aspects.
Familiar sources of stressors identified in students:
Pressure to succeed: You may feel under pressure to get all As, whether that pressure comes from someone else or yourself. Unfortunately, this can sometimes come at the expense of other vital aspects of wellness, such as social, physical, and emotional health.
Societal influences: You will undoubtedly face social pressures during college. There is always something happening, and the fear of missing out is a constant challenge. Giving yourself too much time to socialise, on the other hand, can throw you off balance.
Relationships: You will meet new people in college and may develop romantic interests. Giving too much time to a romantic relationship, similar to social pressures, can throw you off balance and even ostracise you from your other friends.
Parental participation: Many students want to take advantage of college’s freedom. However, parents may wish to remain heavily involved in their children’s lives. This can make the student feel less capable of trying new things and overly focused on one aspect of college, in this case, academics.
Self-reflection exercises to help you achieve balance:
What areas of my life do I need to invest more time in? You must frequently check in with yourself. If you are stressed or ill, consider whether you are sleeping and eating enough, have a healthy social life, and are staying on top of your academics, among other things. If any of these elements are missing, adjust your schedule to fill in the gaps. If you excel at something, you may be able to devote slightly less time to it and shift your focus elsewhere.
Is this something I want to do or feel obligated to do? Throughout college, you will see people succeeding in various aspects of their lives. When you see someone else get a prestigious internship in their field of study, you may question whether you are doing enough. Remember that they are on their own path; yours is equally valid. They may even be dissatisfied with certain aspects of their lives – they have yet to figure out everything. Do what is right for you and bring you fulfillment.
Is this opportunity in line with my objectives? You are in college for a reason, whether it is your friendships, studies, internships, campus involvement, or anything else. As you progress, you will gain a better understanding of what is crucial to you and what your goals are. When a new opportunity presents itself, consider whether you have the margin for it and whether it will help you achieve your goals or cause unnecessary stress.
Is it necessary for me to have some difficult conversations? You may need to be vulnerable with your friends and family for them to understand your requirements. This can happen in many ways. If you’ve spent most of your time and energy on your social life, you may need to inform your friends that you won’t be as active as before. In contrast, if you have yet to spend enough time with your friends, you should be aware of this. You may need to consult your parents to step back and give you more space if they are overly involved. However, if you are struggling and need your parents more than ever, be honest with them.
Time management is one of the most challenging things for any college student to master. You have pulled in so many hundred different directions the moment you step foot on campus: you want to succeed in school and take all of the required classes for your major. You want to be involved in extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and clubs, and become a leader. You may also have one or more jobs to help pay for your education.
You are expected to balance all of these factors — work, school, extracurricular activities, and social life — while remaining emotionally healthy. You don’t have to compare your path to anyone else’s, and it’s okay if the college takes longer than four years because of juggling work and school. Recognizing our limitations and being open to forging our paths, even if they aren’t “typical,” is essential for achieving mental health balance!
College can initially get overwhelming due to all the new things happening around you like new people, new city, new house and that’s understandable. What you need to be mindful of is your mind and feelings! Acknowledge how you feel and become aware of it, if there is someone you feel you need to talk to, then talk to them!
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