A college degree can make a huge difference in your life and your career, and the college years can be full of fun and excitement. But as you prepare to choose your school and master your coursework, you’ll also be entering a time that has a lot of potential for stress.
Studies show that three out of every four college students say they’re stressed out, and the problem has serious implications for the mental health of our most talented and hardworking young people.
It’s not hard to see why students are stressed, though: College kids are competitive (sometimes to an unhealthy degree), and the coursework can be difficult. On top of this, some college students may have to travel far from home or go into debt just to attend their school of choice, and these factors can loom large among the causes of student stress.
Stress is extremely bad for your mental and physical health. That’s why you should consider your stress levels and the potential for future stress as you plan out your college journey, the higher education experts at Excelsior College explain. Here are a few things to weigh as you do this.
Nutrition, exercise, and supplements
When we’re young and healthy, it’s easy for us to feel invincible. But our lifestyles can have serious short- and long-term health consequences, no matter how young and energetic we might think we are. College students tend to eat poorly, drink to excess, and skip out on exercise. This is no good for your mental health and stress levels.
Your mind needs nutrition just like your body does. Exercise releases endorphins that can improve your mood and mindset. And supplements, too, can help you keep stress and anxiety at bay.
Take CBD, for example. CBD is derived from marijuana, but it won’t get you high. What it will do, studies suggest, is reduce your anxiety and stress levels and keep you on a more even keel as you go about your college days. For more on CBD, head to the internet: You’ll find everything from dosage recommendations to CBDistillery reviews online.
Should you go to college online?
Three of the biggest factors in college student stress are homesickness, busy schedules, and financial burden. One way to reduce all three of these things dramatically is to go to college online.
Online universities have come a long way in the past few decades, the experts at Excelsior College say. You can build a great career on a degree from a well-regarded online school because hiring managers and other key figures in your career space are casting an increasingly favourable eye on such degrees.
And online colleges offer serious advantages. You’ll be able to go to school in your own home, which will eliminate homesickness and help you save money. Online schooling can offer more flexible scheduling. And, in many cases, online universities are more affordable than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, the professionals at Excelsior College say.
Mental health care and your campus
Whether you attend school online or in person, you should be aware of the mental health resources that you have at your disposal. While you can do a lot on your own to make your life more manageable, there is no substitute for great mental health care.
So turn to your primary care provider for a referral to a psychiatrist or head to an on-campus centre for counselling and therapy. If you’re proactive about your mental health and get real treatment from a professional, then you’ll feel less stressed and be more successful in college.
