Given the challenges, it is good for students, friends and parents to talk about some improvements. Unless they work hard against it, students are spending almost all day, every day, online and in their rooms. This is not a recipe for mental health.
Here are some ideas to discuss with your college student… or, if you are a college student, some ideas to take charge of your own experience… take life by the horns… suck the marrow out of life…
1. Look for opportunities to play sports – Is intramural an option where you are?
- Ask around… does anyone play the same sports that you do?
- Consider sports that can be played with fewer people – tennis, golf, etc.
2. Take your laptop to do homework in other places when possible. Seek to find ways to be out in the sun and air.
3. Reach out to family or friends – call or text to check on them. You don’t have to have a problem for help – they probably would be encouraged by you reaching out to check on them. They are probably facing challenging things too right now. Same for friends in other Universities.
4. Invite others to be involved in things you are doing – avoid too much isolation. Invite others, even when playing video games or board games or homework…
5. Do you have a place to engage in nature? It is nearly impossible to overestimate to value in hiking, biking, swimming, in the green spaces in order to fight depression and discouragement… and don’t forget to involve others sometimes!
6. Evaluate the potential of having a job, if you don’t. It may not always be tons of fun, but a job can allow you to invest in some meaningful work with other people. At the same time, if you are working, and it is a negative train, try to find a different job with more positive conditions.
7. Evaluate your sleep…
- Go to sleep earlier.
- Preferably get 8 hours of sleep every 24 hours.
- Avoid late night caffeine.
8. Get blue filter lenses and wear them to online classes.
9. Don’t forget about Church campus ministry at the church
A. Find out if other students that you can hang out with outside of church, too.
B. Find out if other students play the games you do.
c. Schedule to be at activities.
10. Try to find some time to read things other than just schoolbooks, especially if your texts aren’t very engaging. You might consider audiobooks if needed… but some sci-fi or other fiction can be a relief for the brain.
11. How do you best relate to God? Prayer? Reading the Bible? Sit in silence and listen to God? Engage in a sermon? If you get really bored, you could check out the sermons and talks at https://southspring.org/teaching/
12. Find someone to talk to about your situation. Family and friends can be great options; consider also a minister or a mentor or a counselor. Don’t wait until your emotional condition is far gone to seek help.
13. Serve others. Finding an opportunity to take care of someone else will also invest in your own well-being, and of course, it is better to give than receive.