BY CORIE LYNN
As December inches closer, college students begin to feel the weight of the end of the semester. From holiday plans to finals, the end of the fall semester often leaves students stressed and more than ready for a break.
This poses problems for students. The stress of trying to balance academics, family, and finances, among other responsibilities, puts students in danger of burnout. The question remains: how do students manage their mental health during the business of this time of year?
“So I tell students, this time of year, I think our tendency is to look at our to-do list and just kind of get anxious about it because it looks like so much information,” said Gina Smith, Director of FHSU’s Kelly Center. “But a really good thing to do is to make to-do lists, figure out when things are due, kind of break it down into smaller tasks.”
Smith also suggested that students take breaks from studying. Students should take that time to go on walks or visit with friends. Breaks, such as these, can help alleviate the stress that comes from assignments.
Later, Smith also elaborated that mental also involves taking care of basic physical health.
“If you aren’t exercising, it’s good to exercise. Fit in a walk. It’s good to make sure you’re getting proper sleep. It’s good that you’re getting proper nutrition so that you’re not just going through drive-thrus every night,” she said.
According to her, listening to your body and going back to the basics of care can make times of stress easier to manage.
Students need to approach holiday breaks, however, in a different manner.
These breaks can be a joyous time filled with home-cooked meals or old friends, but students may also experience a type of stress different from that of finals week.
“Some people do not look forward to that week with their families because maybe there’s a lot of stress going on, or maybe they’re worried about talking to their families about their grades, or they’re just used to independence and now their going home to stay with their parents and have to follow their parents’ rules,” Smith said.
According to a handout Smith gives students, there are several ways students can make the holidays easier to manage.
Smith’s biggest tips for the upcoming breaks centers on communication. According to her, this includes parents and students discussing how each expects the break to go as well as to negotiate new house rules for those who have enjoyed the newfound freedom of college.
If grades aren’t what parents might expect or additional problems have arisen during the semester, Smith recommends that students prepare their parents for the news. Parents, on the other hand, should understand that their student will likely need space as well.
As important is it is for parents and students to support one another during this time of year, students should also look out for their friends’ well-being.
“If you start noticing withdrawing or getting irritable or sad or you just notice some things that are different about them, I think it’s really important to say to your friend, ‘Hey, I’ve noticed this about you and I’m worried about you,’” Smith said.
According to Smith, it’s not uncommon for students to walk their friends over to the Kelly Center to sit through counseling sessions with them, but there are other ways to support a friend who is struggling. This can be as simple as watching a movie with them if they are isolating themselves.
For those looking for end-of-the-semester encouragement, Smith tells students to remember what working toward and that college is a marathon rather than a sprint.
“There’s obstacles, there’s challenges, but it’s worth it to come and improve their lives by getting a good degree that they’ll be able to use the rest of their lives,” she said. This might make it easier to work through the more difficult moments students face in college, from heavy course loads to impending tests.
For those who are struggling, be it as a result of the end of the semester or throughout the year, it’s important to reach out to those around you for help. The Kelly Center provides help, such as in personal counseling or tutoring. More information about their services and how to seek help can be found on the Kelly Center website.