surviving college when you have a mental illness: a guide

studystrivesucceed:

a lot of tumblr college advice seems to focus on a lot of things that are great to do but are often difficult to implement for mentally ill college students. i’ve completed three years of college and had an okay time w/ getting a good grades, making friends and maintaining my mental health, so here are some things that have worked for me. 

reminder: what works for me might not necessarily work for you, so modify as needed!

• campus help: be aware of, and locate, the on campus mental health supports. whether that’s counselling, group therapy, psychiatry, helplines, etc. most colleges have a mental health site with a list of their resources available. print them out/book mark the page, and refer back to it as needed. college is tough and it’s good to know what help’s available 
• academic accommodations: somethings things don’t go as planned. know the process of getting academic accommodations and please don’t hesitate to get them if you need them. they exist for a reason, you’re not cheating the system, you’re getting the support you need
• community help: learn the community resources as well in the city/town you’re in. a lot of times, the community resources are more specific, and that can be helpful if you’re looking for specialized help.
• classes: yes, going to all your classes is ideal. however, if you have to skip class bc your mental health is getting you down, be smart about it. every semester, i give myself a set number of skips per class and after that point, i can’t skip anymore. 
• readings: yes, always doing all your readings and assignments is ideal, but sometimes you just don’t have the energy for that. get smart with your readings. figure out when reading is mandatory (e.g. you’re being tested on it directly, it’s not covered in class) and when it’s optional 
• clubs: join a club. seriously. it’s hard but it adds regularity to your schedule and forces you to get out and interact with people. try to join something you’re interested in or have friends in already so you’re more motivated to go 
• healthy food: cliche, but you feel better when you eat better and drink better. try carrying easy healthy snacks with you, like carrot sticks, fruit, yogurt, granola or nuts, instead of buying unhealthy food from campus. carrying a big water bottle with you can also help you stay well hydrated
• healthy habits: another cliche but try to incorporate some healthy habits into your day. the best ones are the ones that work for you and don’t feel like quite as much of a chore for you to do. whether that’s meditating, exercising, seeng friends, or anything else, try setting small, habitual goals (e.g. doing x for y minute son z day of the week, every week) to create healthier habits
• ruts: if you’re in a rut, start with something small. when i don’t want to do anything, I’ll start doing some easy cleaning around my house, which will get me in a productive swing.
• reward yourself: college is tough. it’s tougher when you’re mentally ill. you might not always feel it, but you’re doing a great job. rewarding yourself for certain goals met or after a tough day can help motivate you further and help you appreciate the work you’re putting in more. 
• take advantage of good days: there are some days when you feel fantastic. use those to do the things that you might find more difficult to do during regular days
• be okay with the bad days: not everyday is going to be great. things might not always go as planned, but it’s okay. take some time to regroup, recognize that this happens, and get back at it