Being a college student can have lots of ups and downs. There are many reports of students having increased struggles with mental health and wellness. The Wellness Center can direct you to a wide variety of supports that include health services, nutrition services, and counseling and psychiatric services. The Wellness Center also offers several programs and events that can support you.
Here are other tips and some resources to assist you with maximizing your well-being during challenging circumstances.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
Exercise, get plenty of fresh air, eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and engage in self-care. All of these will improve your immune system as well as help you feel more emotionally and mentally balanced. That can translate into becoming better at coping with whatever is taking place around you.
Check out Totara and EngageD for a list of activities to support your well-being.
EXERCISE SELF CARE
Just as you should schedule specific times to work, you should also schedule times to put work away and engage in other activities. Even if you’re just moving to a different spot in the room, be intentional about making a transition in and out of “work mode.” It will be important to use this time to give your eyes and brain a rest from looking at a screen. It might be tempting to only watch TV or movies in your downtime, but remember that you will need to vary your activities to stay alert and cognitively healthy. See the Health and Wellness Resources Page for tips on caring for yourself and others.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
LACK OF SLEEP = FORGETTING WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED
If you believe that it’s a good idea to stay up all night before a test to cram as much into your brain as you can, think again! Here are the most important things to remember about sleep:
- It’s critical that you get enough sleep after learning to activate the “save” button on what you’ve learned so that you can recall it later.
- You also need adequate sleep before learning so your brain is primed to soak up and commit to memory what you take in.
- Sleep is your body’s life support system, and it’ll function best if you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Put down any electronics at least an hour before bedtime, since blue light interrupts your brain’s ability to “turn off” for the night. (Read a book instead.)
- Plan for what time you’ll go to bed and ask others to help you to do just that.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
There are a number of daily activities that we have limited control over. Focus on what you can control: when you choose to study, what you opt to eat, how and with whom you spend your time... Making good choices and engaging in “just for you” activities can be an empowering way to assert your agency.
BE AWARE OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONSUMPTION
It can become easy to excessively expose oneself to information about the current events and social media time. Doomscrolling can be easy to get caught up in and cause more stress to your social emotional and mental wellness. Too much social media can exacerbate negative feelings. You might consider spending a set (and limited) time each day to consume social and news media in order to better control the overwhelm that overconsumption can cause.
CONNECT WITH CLASSMATES
Try to acquaint yourself with a few of your classmates. Compare notes, discuss class materials, study together – either in-person or virtually -- to keep each other accountable. This kind of engagement can not only be an antidote to a sense of loneliness but can also be a strategic way to boost your academic success.
FOCUS ON AND DO THINGS THAT ARE UPLIFTING
You might find that you have an excessive amount of unstructured time. Productivity is a great antidote to negativity. And so is having fun! Find positive ways to de-stress, including watching shows, reading for fun, listening to podcasts, playing games, or talking with friends. Find the joy in engaging in these activities and try to make it your mission to uplift everyone you encounter near and far. Focus on those practices that fill you with positive energy.
REACH OUT TO THE CARE TEAM
The CARE (Coordination, Assessment, Response, and Education) Team assists with any situation that could disrupt a student's academic or social well-being within the Dickinson community. We hope to intervene early, when possible, to help support the student. The team reviews individual cases and coordinates an appropriate action plan for response. If you need more information on CARE Team or to make a referral click here.
ACCESS MORE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR WELLNESS
The Wellness Center also created this excellent Online Wellness Resources page that includes a breathing and mindfulness podcast, mental health apps, and practical tips on self-care, coping, and managing your well-being during your time here at Dickinson. Check it out!