For many Junior College students, the road to university can be long and arduous. More often than not, this is the first time they have been away from home and away from their parents.
They may also be going through a period of change in their life that can be stressful at times. As a result of these changes, some students may become stressed or anxious and lose sight of what is important to them.
However, it is important to remember that there are many resources available to help you manage your emotions and deal with stress or anxiety. Here are a few ways you can take care of your mental health as a JC student:
See a counsellor
If you need someone to talk to but feel too embarrassed to talk to your friends about how you feel, you can turn to the counselling service at your school.
They can provide a safe space for you to chat with someone and get professional advice on how to deal with whatever is bothering you. It’s okay if what’s bothering you isn’t too serious – just talking about it will help!
Look after yourself
Make sure you get enough sleep every night so that you are able to function well during the day. You should also make sure you are eating well and exercising regularly.
If you are interested in doing so, you can also take up yoga or meditation classes to help you relax. You could also try journaling as a way to reflect on your day and process your thoughts and emotions.
Talk to your friends
Your friends can provide a great source of support for you, so make sure that you give them some time to talk about what’s going on in their life too!
This will also allow you to feel like your problems are not unique and help you understand that others are going through similar situations. You can also see if any of your friends have any tips about how they deal with stress.
Find a mentor
If you have an older friend who can offer advice about university life, he or she can be a great role model for you as well. Mentors can help point out the resources available at your school and encourage you to take advantage of them.
He or she can also give advice about how best to manage your time between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social activities. Find something new.
While it’s good to spend time with friends and family, it’s also important for you to do things that interest YOU. This will help you build your interests and find out what you are passionate about. It will also give you an opportunity to meet new people with similar interests and hobbies.
Get involved
Take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to you at your school. It’s good to be exposed to as many different activities as possible!
This will help you discover what you are interested in, make friends, and learn how to manage your time well.
Learn a new skill
If you are struggling with something at school, consider learning a new skill or talent that might help you get better grades.
For example, if you have trouble with maths, consider doing extra maths classes to bolster your knowledge. If English is a struggle for you, try reading books outside of class or joining an English club.
Remember that there is no way to avoid stress or anxiety completely
It’s a part of life! The best thing you can do is learn how to manage it effectively so that it doesn’t affect your studies.
Lastly, if you have tried all these methods and none of them seem to be helping, it is important that you speak to someone. You can talk to your parents or another trusted adult.
They will most likely be happy to assist you in any way possible.
You can also speak to a counsellor at your school, or call a helpline like the Samaritans (https://www.samaritans.org/). Lastly, if you are feeling really distressed, call 999 for an ambulance.
Cudy Marketplace provide the online counselling experience service. Please remember that talking to someone who listens to you is always beneficial. In Cudy, you can talk with a professional counsellor anywhere at time and in any location to help you with any issues you might have.
