October 2, 2024
Photos and writing by Jameson Margetts
📚 Secondary English language arts education major
📍 Chadron, Nebraska
With the fall semester officially in full swing, it’s the time of the year when things start to get hectic and deadlines start to pile up. Naturally, this can be overwhelming for any student regardless of if this is your first semester in college or your last. Taking time to prioritize your mental health is critical in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and finding success as a student. This can be fulfilled in a number of ways, and I’m here to talk about a few practices that have worked for me as well as how the university is here to help you on this journey.
Staying Active
Physical activity and exercise can be a great stress release. For me, this is exploring the trails of Lincoln on my trusty bicycle, Patrick. Going for a bike ride is a great time to clear my head of any anxieties or worries. I love connecting with nature and also feeling the natural energy boost from the exercise. After a bike ride, I know that I can come back to my coursework with a clean slate, ready to be productive. Several of Lincoln’s awesome trails even connect right up to campus!
There are a number of resources on campus that students can utilize to stay active. The Recreation and Wellness Center has a vast array of different environments to work out in. This can be done through playing intramural sports, taking fitness classes, working out in the strength and conditioning room and so much more. Utilizing the Rec Center is also a great way to meet people and start building a community of people who share the same interests as you. If you prefer to stay active outside, the Outdoor Adventures Center is a great place to go — offering rock climbing, biking and numerous events to help you become aware of the nature in and around Lincoln!
Prioritizing Yourself
When the stressors of school and life get overwhelming, sometimes I just need a little pick-me-up to brighten my mood. This can be a sweet treat, a nap, a hot shower or any number of things. I like to do this when I’m studying on campus. After a few hours of working hard on my assignments, I like to get a snack and take a quick walk around the library for a quick refresh. Frutta Bowls at Abel, any Herbie’s Market and the East Campus Dairy Store are a couple of my personal favorite snack locations on campus. The Haymarket District downtown also has a bunch of great places to get a snack! When I’m back at my apartment, treating myself looks like taking a power nap or going to bed early. Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep; being well-rested is one of the first steps to being able to function! Taking a break to reward yourself for all the hard work you do is worth it every time.
Prioritizing yourself can also mean saying no to things that will not be healthy or benefit you in the long run. Coming from a people pleaser, it can be hard to say no! However, it is crucial to know your limits and not stretch yourself too thin. Getting involved on campus has made my college experience a million times better, and I highly recommend it to any student. That being said, if you ever feel like you are too busy or do not feel passionate about something you are involved in, don’t feel ashamed about taking a step back and freeing up your schedule a little. We all need time for ourselves to function, and you know yourself best. Your mental health comes first!
Talking with Someone
This next point goes hand in hand with the previous notion of prioritizing yourself. One of the hardest parts of struggling with your mental health can be opening up about it, but that can also be the most rewarding. It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, stressed or anxious — being a student is hard work! Discussing your experience will help you acknowledge it and find helpful ways to move forward. This can be having sincere conversations with your friends and family about how you are feeling. My roommates and I frequently have “debrief sessions” where we get dinner and discuss everything going on in our lives and how we can help each other out. Additionally, the University Health Center offers Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students. I began meeting with CAPS just last year because I was nervous about seeing a psychologist. However, after my first meeting, it was clear that I had nothing to be nervous about. The wonderful staff at the Health Center helped me find a psychologist that met my needs and that was able to help me start having insightful conversations about my mental health. I highly recommend CAPS to any student even remotely considering talking with a counselor; you never know how helpful it could be for you.
Being open about our mental health and ways we can maintain it is the first step towards progress. I encourage each of you to try out some of the suggestions above to find what works for you. It took lots of experimentation to find some tricks that work for me, and I’m still trying out new options too. Lean on the people around you and the copious resources available, and I know you will have a fantastic, successful semester!