It is that time of year again; after a sun-filled summer we are all getting ready to pack up our backpacks and get back into our school routine. After a long break, it can be hard to get back into the groove of an academic routine. This article is going to highlight different ways you can get ready for success at school and with your mental health!
Tip 1:
Establish a Routine, and Start Early!
Going from no school work all day to 5 days a week of work, alarms, and assignments can be overwhelming! Before school starts up, try setting alarms to get used to waking up at the desired time again. Another thing to try is cooking and preparing healthy meals for the entire week. Not only is cooking a great self-care activity, it will save you a ton of time during the week. Slowly preparing for the start of the school year and making a plan to make your work/school day easier will allow you to slowly get adjusted to your school routine.
Tip 2:
Practice compassion and set realistic expectations
Society and outside forces place so much pressure on us to succeed in multiple roles as a student, friend, sibling, child, or an individual. Give yourself grace by recognizing what you have going on in your life. I often hear of high expectations put on students of all ages so learning to recognize your limits and setting boundaries are important skills to practice. Try to balance your life and school work. For instance, try doing homework for 30-45 minutes and then taking a 10-15 minute break. When someone tries to study in big chunks of time it can cause exhaustion and may lead to work being done incorrectly. Taking breaks is so essential!
Tip 3:
Normalize Stressful Emotions
While school starting again can sometimes bring up exciting feelings it can also bring up some anxiety. All the emotions you feel starting school are valid and normal! More people feel the same anxious feelings than you think. Trying your best not to place judgment on these emotions can help, “as the more you push them down, the more they tend to bounce back up” (NAMI). You can try acknowledging the feelings, saying it out loud, writing it on paper, and instead of judging it, thank it as a visitor and tell yourself “this emotion doesn’t define how I am, it is a visitor”. Look into local resources to help with processing these emotions, most college campuses have psychological services available. Although college campus based services may have limited sessions, the counselor you connect with can help you connect with more long-term resources.
At Pelican Cove, we strive to provide affordable long-term therapy to our community! If you need someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to help you connect to local resources in your area. Mental health should be strengthened like a muscle: little by little you can build the skills to take care of yourself this summer and the start of the new school year!