Whether you are due to start college this fall or else are already enjoying your first or even second year of studying, amid the workload, the partying, and the creation of new friendships and lifelong bonds, it can sometimes be tricky to find the time to look after both your emotional and physical health.
With this in mind, here are four invaluable pieces of health advice to help college students get through the rest of the year.
1. Never Be Afraid to Ask for Help
First and most definitely most importantly, your mental health should be an absolute priority, both throughout your studies and, as a matter of fact, for the rest of your life.
Always remember that there is absolutely no shame or aspect of failure in asking for help, either by reaching out to family and friends or else making an online appointment with a professional and qualified NHS GP.
2. Don’t Overload Your Body
When carrying your rucksack full of heavy books, your laptop, and various chargers, even if you feel as if you can cope with the weight, it is much better to ensure your bags are not overfilled, as your shoulders and back could still be =under strain.
Furthermore, if your walk to and from college is over fifteen minutes, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes that offer full support, even if you change into summer shoes, such as your sandals, when you arrive at your destination.
3. Be Aware of the Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Next, even if you feel as if you are not someone who could develop depression and, furthermore, are blissfully unaware of the severity in which a person’s life can be adversely affected by the disease, you should still make yourself aware of the primary signs and symptoms.
Even though the depression experience is different for everyone, the most common psychological symptoms of the disease include:
- A feeling of hopelessness
- Lack of motivation
- Inability to focus and concentrate
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Feeling an overriding sense of guilt
- Low self-esteem
4. Manage Your Stress Levels Effectively
The fourth most prominent piece of health advice for college students is to manage your stress levels as effectively as possible to prevent things from becoming unmanageable.
Creating at least a semblance of routine is a fantastic place to start, especially when it comes to ensuring you get at least seven of hours of sleep each and every night. Try to balance your time outside of classes between studying, partying, eating, and sleeping and to make sure you never feel as if you are chasing your tail.
Be realistic with both smaller and larger targets you set and understand that with the best will in the world, you are only one person. Other ways to help keep your levels of stress as low as possible include limiting the number of working hours, you assign yourself each day, and asking for help if you are struggling.