Prioritizing your mental health while in college comes down to identifying your needs, using proactive strategies to stay organized and manage your stress, and finding the right types of support. It takes a balance of self-care, healthy relationships, and basic mental health education or treatment as necessary. Rather than competing with your schoolwork, these activities should expand your capacity and support your academic performance.

Staying on top of your schoolwork while caring for yourself is not easy. If you’ve never given your mental health much thought before, or if you have symptoms that make it hard to concentrate and do basic activities, academic stress can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re not sure how you can keep up with it all, know that you’re not alone, and help is available. There may be resources on campus to help with specific challenges. Virtual mental health treatment programs are another option becoming more and more popular with college students because you can tune in from home or school. 

In this article, we’ll share nine surprising ways college students can prioritize their mental health — without dropping classes. 

9 surprising ways college students can prioritize their mental health

Each student will need a personalized plan to care for their mental health and their overall well-being while in school. At Lightfully, we use our Precision Care Model (PCM) to focus on four core life processes: thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. 

During the busiest times of the school year, you may need to put certain projects and commitments on hold if they take up the time and energy you need for your studies. On the other hand, things that help boost your mental health should remain top priorities because they can greatly improve your performance. This includes simple things like making time to talk with close friends, care for yourself physically, and process your feelings.

The following are nine ways college students can prioritize their mental health that may come as a surprise:

• Create a system to track your homework deadlines and plan your work 

Getting organized is a critical way to reduce mental load. If your school has a tutoring center, they may be able to help with this. Gather your syllabuses to keep track of your deadlines and break assignments down into simple steps. Use free tools like a Google Calendar and color-coded tasks with reminders. 

• Adjust time commitments and boundaries 

Looking at the big picture, how are you spending your time every week? Which activities have been draining you or taking up too much of your time? Things like social media and entertainment can be OK for blowing off steam, but they can also work against you when used in excess. See if there are any adjustments you can make to free up more time and energy when school is in session. 

• Find calm and quiet study spaces 

Finding a place to study where you feel calm and focused and reducing distractions will help you work more effectively. Keep in mind that feeling too relaxed may be counterproductive, so your dorm may not be the best spot. Check out your school’s library or see if there are any private study rooms you can reserve.

• Take breaks 

Focusing for hours at a time is exhausting, and it may have diminishing returns. Your brain needs breaks to function at its best. Schedule time to unplug and relax every day. That might look like taking “micro-breaks” between classes to sit outside and eat a healthy snack or taking up a mindfulness practice like yoga. Take more extended breaks at least once a week to engage in a hobby or do some deeper relaxation.

• Make time for your feelings 

Expressing your feelings can go a long way to help you find peace of mind. Try venting to a friend, journaling, or exercising to work through heavy emotions. It’s also important to find a few moments of joy every day.

• Make time to socialize 

You need positive relationships with people on campus and in your life outside of school. Going to a study group or your professors’ office hours can be great sources of connection and support.

• Reflect often 

Reflecting on what’s important to you and what you want to do with your life can help you find clarity and peace. Your school assignments may be a good place to start. Try reviewing some of your recent projects — ask yourself what really intrigued you and what you struggled with.

• Take care of your physical health 

Your mental health and your physical health are deeply intertwined. Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and getting daily exercise can go a long way to help you feel your best.

• Find treatment that fits your schedule 

If you’re struggling with mental health symptoms, dedicating some of your time to treatment may help make things more manageable in the short- and long-term. Consider virtual programs to expand your options and make treatment work around your school schedule.

Find your supporters and plan for mental wellness this semester 

Prioritizing mental health doesn’t mean choosing between your well-being and your grades. It means finding strategies that support both simultaneously. The methods listed here are designed to work with your academic demands, not against them. Choosing just a few of these ideas to build into habits can make a big difference that compounds over time. 

If your semester is already in full swing, start by reflecting on what’s stressing you out the most and any unmet needs you have. Then you can work on finding the high-impact solutions accessible to you right now.

If you’re experiencing mental health symptoms and feeling completely overwhelmed, there are virtual treatment programs that can provide the personal support you need without disrupting your studies. We’re here to help you find relief and feel more grounded and confident so you can do your best in school.

The first step is an in-depth phone assessment. Contact us to schedule one today or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team.