Posted by Vargas Consulting and Wellness LLC on November 4, 2023

The feeling of getting into college is amazing. You, your parents and extended family members are so excited. You will decisions about where you are living for the next four years. It may be on campus in the dorm, in an apartment or at home with your parents. Either way, you start to have a new sense of freedom. This is an exciting time in your life.

Once you begin college, you get to meet people from other states and possibly countries. You notice you are treated as an adult. So exciting!!! Then, things become more intense. Some students begin to notice they worry a lot, stress begins to build due to the new changes, insecurities and other feelings arise. School is more challenging and you begin to feel that you don’t have enough hours in the day to do what is needed. Some students need to find a job and work while attending college. Whatever your struggle is, there are options to making sure your needs are met.

Self-care is important for all people, especially college students. With all of the things you need to do in college (learn how to live with a roommate you never met, attend classes, study, work, eat from the cafeteria), putting yourself first is not usually first on the list. Self care is a set of activities you do daily as often as possible to meet your needs and help you cope with your days to the best of your ability.

To ensure you are taking care of yourself, work on developing a self-care plan. This plan can change depending on where you are in your life. For example, your plan today may be different than your self-care plan a few months from now, when you have different responsibiltes. Listed below are a few things to consider adding to your self care plan.

*Start to develop a support network. In college, there is a chance that you are separated from close friends if you went away for campus or staying at the dorm. Your friends may have moved away and pursuing their own goals. It’s important to develop new friendships and even maintain old ones. Join clubs, meet up groups or activities at your college so you can feel connected. Having friends you can talk to is a great way to release some stress or vent about things you have on your mind. Sometimes when you talk through your problems, you may be reminded of your strenghts and values. By processing these concerns out loud, you may be able to come up with a solution.

*Take care of your body. Whether you are on or off campus, you have the ability to make good decisions regarding your body. When you go to the cafeteria, choose healthy choices. Of course, not every meal will be healthy and that is ok. Make sure you schedule physical, dental and eye examinations. Taking time out to make sure your body is important and shows that you can about yourself. Stay hydrated. Drink the recommended glasses of water each day.

*Seek therapy. With all of these changes that college may bring, finding someone to talk to is important. Reach out to a professor, friends, tutor or an mental health counselor. If you find yourself with a depressed mood or a high level of anxiety, it may be time to talk to a professional. Colleges offer mental health services. Consider using personal insurance or finding a low cost option for therapy.

*Exercise. The goal is to move your body. Whether it’s taking a walk around the campus, going for a jog, spending time with friends at the gym or getting involved in an activity on campus, staying active is a great form of self care.

*Create a place that feels safe for you. After having a difficult day in class or negative interactions with peers or an argument with your partner, you need a place that you feel comfortable and can have some time to yourself. This may be in your dormatory, at the library or somewhere on your campus. You want an area that helps you to feel safe and where you can take a break without distractions.

*Journal. Buy a journal that you love or just use a notepad. Use it to write down you thoughts for the day. Use it to write down what you are grateful for or use it when you have a lot in you mind. Journaling can help reduce stress. If you find yourself ruminating about something, try writing it on paper. It will help to get it out of your mind. When you are done writing, put your journal in a safe place.

I hope you enjoyed this information. Send me an email, if there is something I left out or if you found anything helpful I have listed. My email is [email protected].