12 Important Mental Health Tips for College Students
College is a time of immense growth and development, but it can also be incredibly stressful for students. The academic challenges and pressure to succeed in a competitive environment can
College doesn’t have to be so stressful. Let’s talk about confidently sailing through your goals, one semester at a time.
College student mental health is a serious issue that continues to escalate. Greater numbers of higher education professionals and healthcare providers across the nation are concerned about the growing demand for mental health services to meet increasing student needs. For freshman students in particular, the adjustment to college is a significant and often challenging experience. Moving away from home, adapting to a campus culture, managing coursework, managing newfound independence, and making new social connections all contribute to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Beyond freshman students, college students in general are increasingly reporting mental health issues due to the chronic pressure to achieve academic success while navigating financial stress and facing challenges as they choose a career path and form their adult identities.
Roommate struggles, working multiple jobs to pay tuition, balancing rigorous coursework, a lack of sleep, extracurriculars, and social expectations all contribute to college stress and burnout. In addition, students nearing graduation often wrestle with a “quarter life crisis” in which they experience a great deal of uncertainty, questioning, and feelings of insecurity with themselves and their chosen career trajectories. The prospect of job searching, moving again, entering the real world, and paying back student loans is bound to cause anxiety even for the most successful students. No matter where a student may be in their college journey, stress is inevitable from start to finish.
In addition, many mental health conditions lay dormant until they begin to manifest during young adulthood. Therefore, even if a person has never struggled with mental health before, college may be the point in their lives where they begin to experience psychological distress. A variety of factors contribute to this, including biological factors, genetic predispositions, and the environmental turbulence of the young adult life stage.
At River Oaks Psychology, we want to normalize talking about mental health so that every college student feels comfortable accessing support when they need it. We understand the pressures of college, we know it’s not easy, and we commend you on your perseverance through all the ups and downs. Stress may be inevitable in college, but your ability to navigate stress successfully is what matters most. Therapy helps you stay on track, make confident decisions, find balance in your routine, and build strong relationships on campus so that you always feel in control.
High school doesn’t prepare you for mental health management in college. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. Online therapy with us means you’ll get real support and college success tips, right from your dorm.
Trust us, you’ll want someone in your corner.
College can be an exciting and transformative time, but it can also feel isolating at times. There is a LOT on your plate and sometimes it can feel like other people have it “all figured out.” Because many colleges and universities are massive institutions, with thousands of students from diverse backgrounds and interests, it can be difficult to find a sense of community and belonging, especially when first starting college. To help with these feelings and to build positive coping skills, consider talking to a therapist who is completely on your side. Being able to discuss your thoughts, ideas, emotions, and challenges with a non-judgmental professional can be incredibly therapeutic. Managing your mental health in college is the first step toward reaching all of your personal and professional goals. We’re with you all the way.
