Final year in college is an important one but the student’s mental health is even more important. Caitlin Laird gives us ways to cope with final year stress.
For most final year college students they are all hyped up on the buzz but also the dread of final year. Students find out what their year entails, the preparation that needs to be done and the hard work that needs to be put in to get them to that finish line.
This alone can absolutely scare the hell out any final year student and this is when the stress and worry begins for students.
College alone is stressful no matter what year a student is in but the final year really is the top liner. It’s the decision maker.
Keeping on top of one’s mental health should be a big priority as well as doing the work.
There are so many simple things to control one’s mental health. Take time to just slow down and read a book or magazine.
Reading something that can just switch off the overbearing stressful thoughts and bring you into a different world of just about anything is a nice lift. This can take any student away from the relentless information overload that is going through their head on what needs to be done and what not.
Go outside to the fresh air and go for a walk or run. Getting out and clearing the head is a big help to just relieving the stress or pressure one may be under.
Forgetting about these things for a while makes you feel better in the long run as you always come back feeling refreshed and ready for whatever you are up against.
Music is another big help. No matter what may be stressing people out, just by putting on a bit of music in the background is said to ease the tension.
It can help you relax and ultimately change how you feel. It is just getting an interest in these things and really delving into them can be very beneficial to one’s mind.
Sleep is also good for the mind as everyone needs sleep to function. There is no point staying up till late worrying or stressing over things that you inevitably cannot change. It is hard to actually put an over-thinking mind at ease and sleep but you will feel better for it in the morning.
Going out with friends is a must. Having friends there to help whether it is to talk to them over a cup of tea or going out and doing something fun can seriously help. Your friends are all going through it and they know the struggle.
These may be the main things a lot of people hear when told on how to control one’s mental health but it is these things that actually work.
Talking to someone whether it is a friend, a family member or even a counsellor, in turn, can ease the pressure.
Caroline Foran, the author of Owning it: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide To Living With Anxiety has a lot of good tips on how to combat anxiety.
In one chapter on owing your vulnerability she states that “Embracing our vulnerability is so important not just in terms of our personal happiness but in terms of managing your own anxiety”.
Being able to open up and tell someone that you’re not doing so great shouldn’t be something you’re afraid to say, as you never know that person could be feeling the same way too.
Niall Breslin commonly known as ‘Bressie’ has so much good advice on mental health as he has gone through the same struggle and he knows the pressures and stress students are under.
“As individuals, one of the biggest things you can do as a student is to create a culture of openness amongst each other”, said Bressie when talking on the youth and mental health.
‘A Lust For Life’ is a charity that Bressie is involved with and it is there to help people talk openly about their mental health and break the stigma.
The website alone is very useful as it gives tips on how to control anxiety and stress, it has personal stories of people that are all going through it and it teaches you how important mindfulness is for the brain and so much more.
Mental Health week in college is very advantageous to all students as it is a week dedicated on showing students that there are so many helpful strategies like workshops and talks on how to cope with the stress and pressure.
Mental Health week shows students that it is okay to open up and talk and let out your worries.
Students need to know that they are not alone. There are so many things mentioned above that can seriously help. The most important one is talking.
Talking to someone is the beginning and the help from then on can get you through the things that may seem so big right now but will eventually ease when you learn to control your mental health.
Caitlin Laird
Image Credit: Alison Clair