Hey, stress – thank u, next… 

We’re here to help you with that stressful student life. It’s one thing to get those grades up and improve your GPA, but maintaining your mental health is a whole other thing… especially during second semester. The Student Life Network‘s got your back! What can you do to accomplish your goals while still feeling mentally sane? 

Utilize on-campus mental health resources 

Did you know that most colleges and universities in Ontario have mental health resources on campus? You can book appointments directly with counselors for free! In most cases, it is already included in your tuition.

Make time for fitness

Working out releases endorphins. What do endorphins do? They make you happy! Set aside some time in your schedule to be physically active. Not only will this keep your body healthy, but it’s great for your state of happiness. Overall, this is a great stress and anxiety reliever. 

Get enough sleep 

Do you find yourself zoning out, feeling sluggish, and not able to pay attention in lectures? This could be from lack of sleep. It can be hard to get to bed at the same time every night when you have a bunch of assignments and deadlines to meet. If you stick to a proper schedule, you will find that you complete these assignments with even better quality and focus, as your mind and body will be well-rested! Sleeping improves your memory, learning quality, and enhances productivity.

Make time for meditation

Practicing meditation and mindfulness is a great way to stay relaxed and bring you back to the present moment. With so many deadlines, it can understandably be difficult to stay in the present during your second semester. Not only is this calming, but it can help you stay focused on your current task. A great exercise to practice is called 5,4,3,2,1. Identify five things around you that you can see, four things that you can touch, three things that you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Before you know it, you’ll be right back in the present.

Live on a schedule

If you make an effort to focus on specific tasks at certain times, it will be much easier to keep an organized mind. Additionally, it is important to set realistic goals for ourselves every day. When we expect too much of ourselves, it can be difficult to get those tasks accomplished—resulting in added stress. Make a realistic schedule for every week of your second semester, and watch things fall into place.

Be in control

Remember, stress and anxiety are no more than feelings. When feeling these intense emotions, it can be easy to lose control and feel as though they are in control of us. Remember that YOU are more powerful than these feelings, so take back control!