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Prioritizing Mental Health: Tips for College Students

Edukasi | Sunday, 12 Nov 2023, 12:51 WIB

In the busy world of academia, students often find themselves with lots of homework, tests, and things to do with friends or social activities. Sometimes, with all these things going on, it's easy to forget about taking care of our mental health. This essay wants to talk about why it's important to focus on mental health and give simple tips for students to handle the challenges of college life.

The transition to college life is a significant chapter in a student's journey. It brings a mix of challenges and opportunities, not only academically but also personally. A study with The Conversation and other groups found that about 2.45 million Indonesian teenagers, or one in 20, were told they have mental health problems. This shows how important it is to help students with their mental health, especially among college students.

Statistic show that 64% of young people in college experience anxiety, and 61.5% exhibit symptoms of depression. These numbers tell us that many students are facing mental health problems. This makes it even more important to think about mental health in college. Some common problems are feeling too worried, having trouble talking to others, and not being able to sleep or eat well. So, it's important to do things early to keep our mental health good.

Below are some easy tips for college students:

1. Practice Mindfulness:

Mindfulness means paying attention to what's happening now without judging it. Students can spend a few minutes every day focusing on their breathing or using apps to feel less stressed and be happier.

2. Connect with Nature:

Going outside and enjoying nature can help us feel less stressed and in a better mood. Whether it's walking in a park, hiking, or just breathing fresh air, being in nature is good for mental health.

3. Practice Gratitude:

Being thankful for good things in life can make us feel less stressed and happier. Keeping a journal about things they are thankful for or spending a few minutes each day thinking about good stuff can really help.

4. Volunteer:

Helping others by volunteering can make students feel like they have a purpose and make friends. Students can give their time to local charities, hospitals, or community centers.

5. Seek Support:

If students ever feel they are having mental health problems, it's important to talk to friends, family, or people who know about mental health. Joining groups that help each other or talking to school counselors can be very helpful.

Thinking about mental health is not just something fancy, it's really needed for college students. Taking care of how we feel is important to deal with all the different things that happen in college. By doing easy things like mindfulness, being in nature, helping others, being thankful, and asking for help when needed, students can keep their mental health good and do their best in college. This way, they make sure they have a happy and successful time in college.