The pressure of college can be overwhelming whether you’re an incoming freshman, transfer student, close to graduation or returning from a hiatus. So, developing a routine that balances your personal life and college responsibilities is vital for mental well-being and ultimately success.
Keeping your mental health in check is not only integral to your success but also maintaining a happy life. The world is facing a mental health crisis, with the CDC reporting 49,000 reports of death by suicide in the U.S. in 2022, with millions more battling suicidal thoughts.
While it is easy to fall behind and allow yourself to get overwhelmed, it’s important to realize you are not alone in your battles.
CSU Stanislaus has many resources to help struggling students. For example, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), located at Student Services Annex, SSX1.1, is a free therapy resource for all Stan State students.
It can be hard to express your feelings to others. The stress that school and other responsibilities create is a heavy burden, so it’s imperative to alleviate it. CAPS is a great place to start, being already covered by tuition.
Reaching out is easy. Just head to the center, or call them at (209) 667-3381 to fill out a pre-screening form and set up a meeting with a counselor. While registered counselors may not always be available, Professional Clinical Counseling (PCC) and Master of Social Work (MSW) interns are more than capable of the job.
PCC Intern Maria Mora Venegas has more than five years of experience with grief clients and is motivated to help students navigate life’s difficulties.
“Mental health has equipped me with the right tools to cope with difficult moments,” Venegas stated. “I am thankful that I can support my client through difficult situations, as it’s always essential to have a good support system.”
As a graduate Honors student and PCC intern, Venegas understands the value of balancing work and self-care by establishing healthy boundaries. Venegas’ advice for students is to focus on work from Monday to Thursday and designate time for yourself from Friday to Sunday.
She also encourages maintaining two reliable resources to help you when you feel suffocated, be it friends or colleagues. Additionally, having a friend in every class is essential when you’re feeling the stress of college or experiencing burnout. Friendship and support can help you out in those moments by giving you a crutch when you need it.
To maintain a healthy mind during the school year, she recommends keeping in touch with professors regarding any issues you are facing. If you’re falling behind, keep professors informed in case you need more time for your assignments, as they once experienced the struggle of being a college student.
The transition from high school to college can be both exciting and nerve-racking. That’s why it’s important to be ready for the jump, or else you could potentially have a bad fall.
When Isaiah Vilicana (Freshman, Computer Science) came to Stan State in the fall of 2024, he realized early on that he began with the wrong mindset.
“I came here thinking it would be like high school which messed me up…I had a bad first semester, so I dipped my feet in the water and locked in,” Vilicana said.
The transition into college is monumental. You will find yourself in a completely different environment surrounded by diverse people and cultures. That’s why Vilicana recommends trying to make friends in every class.
“I messed up my mental state with my two jobs and school. So now I always make sure I have someone with me when I’m studying,” Villicana shared.
Vilicana has a message for all new freshmen making the transition into college: “Finding who you are during college is important because a bad mental state can lead to your downfall.”
Returning to school can be unnerving, whether you missed school because of circumstances out of your control, or you simply needed a break.
Luke Ledezma (Senior, Mathematics) returned to finish his last two semesters of college after taking a two-year break to work two jobs.
“On my first semester back, I had to take the hardest math classes,” Ledezema stated. “I thought, I haven’t been here for two years, I’m gonna die. But I formed study groups with other students and they pulled me through.”
Ledezma also recommended communicating with professors when you need more time for assignments.
Although, allowing too many assignments to build up can lead to burnout and an eventual crash, so Ledezma suggests finding a balance between responsibilities and social life.
“Make sure to make time for fun things…last semester I focused only on school and got burnt out halfway through,” Ledezma stated.
Lack of time management and not taking enough self-care breaks are the two leading factors for student stress buildup, according to the University of North California at Chapel Hill. It’s crucial to manage time for self-care days for your mental well-being.
Ledezma assures, “If you prioritize your mental health during college, your time on campus will become easier to manage.”
