How to Balance Mental Health and a Tight University Schedule Like a Pro

Life at the university can be exciting. New found freedoms, a little independence, and the choice of making new friends.

Pursuing a course at the university means you are closer to your dreams. In a matter of a few years, you will be working in a field that you chose.

This can be thrilling. Everything in this era has a downside, especially when you have so much to do with almost no time for it all.

There’s always so much pressure to keep up with all the assignments, their deadlines, and also maintain your social connections. You may have a part time job on the side which makes the whole thing a recipe for mental health breakdown.

Image: Stressed student

Have you asked yourself how to survive university without burning out?

Across the world, thousands of students struggle to find their footing in an environment that is so demanding.

You don’t have to worry though. According to research  there are simple, and practical strategies you can apply to help you protect your mental health, cope with the pressure of deadlines, and live a productive life in general.

In this week’s guide, we break down the practical, student-tested ways to help you stay on top of your game without sacrificing your mental wellbeing.

Why Mental Health Matters for Students

Staying in the right mental health frame is the foundation to your success as an individual and student as well. Being in your right mental health includes reducing anxiety and related stress, improving your sleep pattern, and increasing your focus on activities that are beneficial to your growth. Have you thought about it? That you can’t really accomplish what you set out to with your anxiety high? You have often felt too lazy to even work on the simple tasks that take only a few minutes. Your motivation is just flat.

Image: Stressing student on campus

Research studies reveal that for those with their mental health in check are;

• Better at managing deadlines.
• More productive in studies.
• More engaged in lectures and discussions.
• Likely to achieve higher grades.
   

In short: mental health is the secret code to ensuring you perform at your best.

The Real Struggles Students Face

Students face numerous problems that can affect their mental health. Most of them go through school following the set syllabus and course requirements. Beyond the required school programs, many students have a random life. With so much to do, most often struggle with:

• Deadline overload: Keeping deadlines becomes a struggle as they do not plan themselves in advance.
   
• Financial stress: Students from humble backgrounds sometimes have to make do with so little it becomes an issue in their day-to-day lifestyle.
   
• Sleep deprivation: Pulling “all-nighters” is now commonplace in many universities, especially the few weeks near the final exams.
   
• The guild of procrastination: Once you push a task over, other tasks pile up and soon, you don’t even know where to start.
   
• Isolation: Most international students find themselves lonely in foreign countries which makes the pressure a little extra.

If this sounds familiar, take a seat and let’s ride on. Indeed, the exam season brings with it new demands for covering course content and assignments. This is the time to acknowledge your responsibility in making progress in your academic journey. Below, we break down better mental health practices that could make your university life worthwhile.

How to Balance Mental Health with a Tight University Schedule

Image: Mental Health quick tips

1. Always have a plan and follow it through

In today’s digital world, apps such as Simplenote, Notion, and Google Calendar are good tools to help you make your plans. These apps help in breaking down different tasks into small ones for easy execution.

? For example. Instead of setting the task “Write essay,” break it down like this:

• Research sources (Day 1).
   
• Draft outline (Day 2).
   
• Write intro + first section (Day 3).

This way, your work becomes manageable through small tasks.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Working all night does not help your mental health. Eyebags are never a badge of honor.

Don’t lie to yourself. You will always lack motivation when you often pull all-nighters. You don’t need to hang around your peers with low moods. As such, you should make effort to free up your time so that you have close to 8 hours of sleep. You will see your mood improve.

3. Eat, Move, Hydrate

Truth be told, binging on Redbull and coffee only serves you for the short term. Although junk food and coffee may keep you working for hours on end, this practice takes a toll on your mental health. Make some tweaks in your schedule. Make sure you are hydrated at all times and remember to include fruits in your diet. In the evenings, go for small walks – you’ll appreciate the difference in a few weeks

4. Engage and connect with others

University stress can often lead to isolation. However, don’t let this be your default setting. Strive to make connections with others. Join clubs and student study groups. Grab coffee with a friend, sometimes, or FaceTime your family.

As social animals, creating a circle around you helps in the release of oxytocin. This hormone helps boost your mood and lower your stress levels.

5. Learn to Say “No”

Learn to say no if you can’t participate in whatever they are inviting you to. Protect your energy as it is the only way you remain functional.

6. Seek Academic Support When Needed

You can’t do it alone. You are only human, and sometimes, you need someone to hold your hand through it all. When you feel overwhelmed, our Top Tutors are always available to help ease the burden and get top scores in your journey.

Always reach out to us whenever you have any type of assignment that feels overwhelming. They could be lab reports, simulations, dissertations, or other projects. We are always here to help.

7. Practice Mini-Mindfulness

Many students think that meditation requires hours for you to lock in. Good news is you can start slow. For example, just take 5 to 10 minutes to breathe deeply, stretch or meditate without distraction. It helps refresh your mind.

Here are the simple mental health hacks you can try

• Have a dedicated playlist for your study sessions.
   
• Your study sessions should be in open and well-lit spaces

• Share any frustrations you have with friends; trust me it helps!

• Track your progress with a ‘done’ list

• Remember to reward yourself whenever you finish a task, no matter how small.
   

Why This Matters

Mental health is an important aspect of your general wellbeing. As a student, the risk of mental health issues is high. As we have discussed, your performance in school is anchored on your behavior and the kind of activities you choose to prioritize. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, our experts will always be here to help you and ensure your progress in your class work.

Stay healthy, and balanced, we’ll walk with you throughout this journey!