It’s OK to Not Be OK – How to Cope with Mental Illness in College. College is a time of discovery; when an individual pursues their interests and meets new people while being exposed to different social settings.

The newfound experience can become challenging if suffering from an existing mental health disorder. One must learn to balance his or her academic and social lives with a mental illness. It is important for a young college student not to become withdrawn or overwhelmed at the prospect of living with their disorder.

According to the American Psychological Association, 86% of students suffering from a psychiatric illness drop out and fail to complete their studies. Having a strategy or plan in place will allow you to overcome your illness and remain successful as a student.

Create a Schedule

Class schedules at college can be grueling, and for an individual suffering from a mental illness, the situation is exacerbated. It is important for those affected to create schedules by which they balance their weekly studies, socialization activities, hobbies, and rest times. Exercising a balanced routine is but the first step towards enjoying a healthy lifestyle that allows a sufferee to remain relaxed and prepared.

Calendars, reminders, and to-do-lists are important tools you can employ to overcome anxiety or depression, which can cause mood swings and leave individuals feeling too exhausted to move. These tools serve as helpful aids reminding you of what needs to be done, while crossing off each task brings with it a sense of accomplishment.

Seek Counseling

Many college campuses offer counseling services through a specific department located on campus. The service providers there are meant to assist you whenever you need it. Individuals with mental illness require support and someone to talk to. College students can seek counselors to rid themselves of any irrational thoughts, damages to self-esteem, or hopelessness brought upon by depression.

Furthermore, colleges are rife with advocacy groups that concern mental illnesses. By joining such a group, you can reach out to others who understand better what you go through. This helps you create a strong support network.  Additionally, campus support groups and clubs are great options to consider joining as they help you meet new people and keep you engaged and distracted.

Eat, Sleep, and Exercise

The pressures of college life, including quizzes, presentations and finals, as well as social pressures tend to lend themselves to late night study sessions, unhealthy eating habits, alcohol consumption, and a lack of physical exertion. If you are a student battling mental illness, getting proper nutrition, along with plenty of sleep and exercise, and avoiding alcohol, are important healthy lifestyle habits that must not be overlooked.

Ensure at all times that your body remains healthy and you aren’t fighting a battle on two fronts; mental and physical. Additionally, you can incorporate exercises such as simple aerobics or relaxation through meditation into your schedule to have important avenues to combat your mental illness. Make sure you are giving your body the proper nutrition it needs when exercising and studying.

Research has shown that college students that suffer from a lack of sleep report higher levels of depression. Students must ensure they are receiving a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every night before they can hope to effectively take part in school activities and examinations.

The above tips will help college students who may suffer from mental illnesses balance their schedules while hopefully coping with the challenges their mental illnesses might bring.  It requires some discipline, but with the right support system, college can be successful despite these challenges.