A 2019 survey from EVA (“The Danish Evaluation Institute”) shows that 1 in 3 new students feel stressed. Unfortunately, that’s a number that has been on the rise in recent years. That’s why mental health is an important aspect of education and something that will become increasingly significant during your studies. However, you can also take preventative measure to prevent stress – find out here.
Structure and perspective
Stress and bad mental health can manifest in many ways. That’s why its important to get to know your own limits, and that you learn how your ideal day is structured. If you experience stress, there are some simple tips that can help you navigate your day-to-day life.
Firstly, structuring your time well can be a good idea – start by doing one week at a time. You can, for example, use the calendar on your phone. That way, you always have your calendar on hand. You can also split your plans into two parts: which are necessary points on your to-do list and what can you afford to skip, if you’re running short on time? What’s most important is that you’re realistic when it comes to which tasks you have the time and mental resources to accomplish. Unrealistic goals will only stress you out further – and that’s completely unnecessary.
During exams, or other periods with more significant assignments, it can be a good idea to split them up into stages. That way, even bigger tasks have a clear, simple structure to follow.
While planning, remember to include breaks that make you happy. If spending an hour per day on your hobbies makes you happy, dedicate time to it. You might also need to attend social events in the evening – make sure to include them in your calendar. And when you get to your allotted downtime, make sure to allow yourself to fully enjoy it.
Sleep, exercise and diet
In every conversation about mental health, three elements tend to repeat themselves: sleep, exercise and a healthy diet. That might be boring, but it can actually benefit you in the long run! You don’t need to be the perfect picture of health, someone who runs 15 miles every morning and always has your green juice on hand. If you start small though, it can actually give you greater mental resources to spend on your studies, work and social life.
- Sleep is important. Without a good night’s sleep, the brain doesn’t work optimally. An average adult needs 8 hours of sleep every night in order to perform well during the day. You can, however, actually catch up on lost sleep with a nap. You can read here about how you can sleep your way to wellness.
- Exercise is a natural way to feel better in your day-to-day life. The human body needs to move every so often. That’s why hiding under the covers all week and barely dragging yourself to the coffeemaker is unhelpful.
- The third and last point: a healthy diet. Though it might feel like a great idea to down a bag of chips during exam season and washing it down with an energy drink, your body thinks its an exceptionally bad idea when you still have 10 days left before your deadline.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Naturally, its important that you seek help if you experience a bad mood to such a degree that you can’t handle it yourself. There are several places where you can seek help, depending on what you need help with.
Sometimes it can be with little things – maybe you need a fellow student to check your paper? You can ask if you can’t give each other mutual feedback. Do you need help with structuring your exam period? A student counselor can help you, or show you where you can get help. You can also always consult your doctor, if you feel that your stress has been impacting your day-to-day life for a period of time. There are both free services in the municipality that your doctor can refer you to and psychological help if you need it.
