Studying cryptography, computer science, and math are some of the most difficult things that you can put yourself through during college. This post today is about tackling the challenges and mental strains involved in studying such difficult and challenging topics.
If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or buried in existential dread, take it as a sign: your body is asking you to make a change. Especially as students who live in a perpetually changing social landscape, we can’t always expect our old routines to suffice.
But where to begin? What changes can I make for my mental health?
There are ten thousand corny, droning self-help videos on YouTube (that might even be an understatement). Nothing that helps you take action.
Below are some areas of growth to focus on, as well as curated resources that help you jump straight in — while staying relatable and approachable.
Challenge your self-limiting beliefs
When you believe you’ll fail, you stop trying. And then you never have a chance to prove yourself wrong! That’s how self-limiting beliefs creep into our brains and stay there. But they’re not stuck forever, and you’re not doomed to self-sabotage.
Shut down social anxiety with a mental checklist
Even if you don’t identify as having social anxiety, who hasn’t been in a social situation and wondered if they were doing ok? When we get stuck on thoughts about how others perceive us, we become less present in conversation, and turn our initial worry into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
So instead of worrying, just familiarize yourself with a couple of social skills checklists – no more unnecessary second-guessing in social situations.
Heal old wounds
Have you heard of the concept of your “inner child”? It’s the part of yourself you may not even be aware of, that absorbed all your childhood hurts and made assumptions out of them. Your inner child can dictate much more of your conscious reality than you realize, so tackle anxiety and depression by getting in touch with child-you. This can look like writing a letter to your inner child, starting therapy, or confiding in someone about childhood difficulties.
Sharpen your listening skills
The better a listener you are, the better you can connect with others. Strong social bonds are a major predictor of mental wellbeing, so the benefits of this small personal tweak will be felt directly and indirectly. Read up on easy ways to listen more effectively, and look for opportunities to practice listening more often.
Defend against the Sunday Scaries
Especially when you have the freedom to schedule your classes, the Sunday Scaries may show up all throughout the week. Performance anxiety and the pressure of your future career don’t help! But there are ways to reframe and strategically approach your workload, so that it doesn’t infringe on your relaxation time.
Students face all kinds of exhilarating and meaningful challenges within class; mental health challenges, on the other hand, drain your lifeforce and your ability to engage with positive opportunities outside of class. Luckily, some special attention to key pillars of emotional health can help students stay stable with minimal effort.