Tips For Maintaining Good Mental Health During The Semester

HUMED Publications Committee
Authors: Melanie Bourne and Danielle Tavares
Article Draft

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
DURING THE SEMESTER
School is back and if there is one word associated with it, it is ‘stress’. Students often find themselves immersed in the workload and content of courses, and for those a little bit more ambitious, they also juggle academics with extra-curricular activities. With a heavy workload and additional responsibilities, it is quite easy for one to find themselves burnt out and with a deteriorating mental health. Don’t you worry! Here are seven (7) tips to help you stay on track and keep your mental health in check.

1. Set Up a Schedule/Utilize a Planner
Time management is essential and critical in the life of a student. Planning your week and outlining dates for important and upcoming projects, tasks, meetings and examinations helps you to stay on top of your game. Setting aside specific time for tasks outside of classes helps you to make the most of your day and helps you to get things done! It also helps in evading the stress of forgetting important upcoming events, thus decreasing the chances of a declining mental health.

2. Keep Your Study/Workspace Clean and Tidy
Often, your environment is a representation of and/or affects your mind space. Having a cluttered workspace will eventually affect your mind and soon, you will find yourself being flustered and frustrated. A clean workspace assists in eliminating distractions and can therefore help in better concentration and boost your productivity. Of course, there are a few of us that don’t mind the clutter but it’s better to have a clean workspace instead of losing precious minutes looking for a lost document on a cluttered desk.

3. Have an Accountability Partner
Let’s be honest: implementing new measures in our lives take time and sometimes, we just aren’t disciplined enough to work through these changes on our own. Having a trusted person in your corner, better known as an accountability partner, works wonders! This is someone who you know that no matter how much you try to find an excuse, they will keep you on your toes and ensure that you are doing the best that you can. This person should also be someone that you can easily communicate with and someone who knows you in and out. Can’t think of someone who fits the criteria? Well maybe that is your sign to branch out more! You never know.

4. Try to Stay Active
Scientific research shows that engaging in activities such as, exercise, yoga, stretching, or any form of sports, helps to improve productivity and brain function. Some other benefits include improvement in our memory, attention span and accuracy. According to Helen Sanders (2018), a health ambition contributor, ‘exercise raises your energy levels, combats stress, battles fatigue and improves general well-being’. Of course, our schedules can become very packed, and we cannot seem to find the time to practice a healthy lifestyle, which is why time management is very important! A walk around your house before an important meeting can help you to keep mentally sharp.

5. Take Breaks
If you tend to have a lot on your plate, you will find yourself having a packed schedule but nonetheless, taking breaks is crucial to avoiding burn outs and to be kind to your mental health. We live in a society that glorifies the ‘grind’ and overworking, but the truth is, you will not get to where you are if you find yourself laying in a hospital bed. Take at least an hour out of your day to breathe, watch an episode of your favourite series, listen to a few songs from your favourite album or make a call to a friend to catch up. Whatever it is, do not beat yourself up about it. You are human and you need to take a break!


6. Engage in Self Care
With everything that’s happening in the world right now sometimes life can feel overwhelming especially with lockdowns and curfews. A lot of students like myself are trying to adapt to these new changes while trying to excel, having a personal and a social life. It can be hard to remember to slow down, take a breath and engage in relaxing activities that will create a more positive environment. This may include: listening to your favourite album, watching your favourite Netflix series or movies, taking a well-deserved nap and so on.


7. Create a Vision Board
A vision board consists of your aspirations and goals. The hassle of assignments and home life can be a lot while trying to maintain a good GPA. To avoid losing sight of your goals and feeling burnt-out, a vision board is the best way to keep you on track. This can be done by using a tablet, phone or to be more creative, create a poster or book that best suits your personality. When this is done place it at a location that is visible daily. It works!