Being a student can be overwhelming, between assignments and exams, extracurricular activities, and trying to maintain a social life, you may feel stressed and your mental health may suffer. We interviewed School Social Worker Valaria Arias for tips on staying balanced as a student.
Know Your Limits
It’s important to realize when you need to take a break and take that break when it’s needed. That break can be skipping a club or activity, canceling plans to do some self-care, or getting some extra sleep. Or, it could be as simple as taking a breath before going to your next class. “Even just taking 2 minutes out of the classroom to recenter yourself can help,” says Arias.
In addition, it’s important to know when you have too much on your plate, and that you may need to quit or shift extracurricular activities as you go along the school year.
Know Your Resources
Whether you’re struggling with balancing a busy schedule or struggling with your mental health, many schools have mental health professionals who can help you. Many schools have a school counselor and/or a school social worker. School counselors can help you with academic things, such as college applications or your class schedule. Social workers help more with emotions. You can see a counselor or social worker during the school day. If you need to talk to a social worker or counselor, you can talk to a teacher to help schedule a time, email them, or utilize the open-door policy that many school counselors or social workers have.
Plan fun activities into your schedule
However you plan your schedule, make sure you include social life, me-time, and time to have fun into your schedule. Whether this is marking off time on Fridays to hang out with friends or creating a calming morning routine, setting aside the time to take care of yourself and nurture relationships with others is not only your key to academic success but a balanced life. When talking about balance, Arias says,
“It’s important to have a balance, and you need something fun and to have that social aspect having both is really important.”
Engage in self-care activities
Self-care comes in many forms. It can be meditation, skin care, taking a break when you need one, or anything that helps you relax and feel revitalized. It’s important to have self-care as a part of your routine. An example of this is reading before going to bed, or journaling in the morning. During the day, check in with yourself to see when you need a break. If you’re able to, step out of the classroom. You can also work self-care and breaks into your school schedule, like making sure you use your lunch period to take your mind off your classes or taking a calming elective, like an art class.
Cover the bases
In both maintaining academics and your mental health, it’s important to cover the bases of well-being. These are:
- Eating multiple balanced meals per day and eating snacks when needed
- Drinking as much water as your body needs, indicated by thirst
- Sleeping 9+ hours a night (the recommended amount for teens)
- Moving your body in a form of enjoyable movement multiple times a week
These bases ensure that your needs for physical well-being are met to further encourage mental, emotional, and social well-being. Sleeping, drinking water, and eating ensure that you have enough energy, not just for academic purposes but also to take care of your mental health. Exercise encourages the release of natural mood boosters and decreases stress.
Balance as a student can be difficult, but hopefully, these tips make it a bit easier. If you still need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to a teacher, school counselor, or school social worker for assistance. If you are experiencing issues with your mental health, talk to a trusted adult.
Final Thoughts:
Listening to yourself and listening when you need to take a break are crucial to maintaining balance, mental health, and academic success. If you need help at school, ask for it. There are people there who can help. Plan fun activities to maintain balance. Scheduling fun activities as well as time for academics ensures social, mental, and emotional well-being. Self-care and taking breaks when you need to are crucial to maintaining balance. Maintaining other areas of well-being helps your mental health and academics