As week three of the semester approaches, more and more things are coming into full swing. Rush week has came and gone, and clubs have finally started up again. With a new semester comes to beginnings, and that’s great. A new semester is an open door to try and experience new things and meet new people.

Trying new things and getting out there is great, but as we all explore our options, we as students need to realize that we need to take a few moments to focus on our mental health.

With all these new things comes added stress. Although it may seem like fun to have new activities to do, there is an underlying strain that comes with it. Most students don’t understand that rushing for a fraternity or a sorority is a huge commitment. Bringing these new things into your life this semester is fun, but I cannot stress enough how important a person’s mental health is in college.

Last semester, I did an abundance of things. I juggled a part-time job, went through the rushing process and did sports, on top of adjusting to college as a freshman. Although I did manage to maintain a 4.0 GPA, I still was mentally drained each day.

I wish I had taken time to evaluate my mental health more last year. As this semester gets into full swing, I can feel the pressure from all the things that I do stack on top of my shoulders again, and it’s not a great feeling.

I know I’m not the only one in a situation like this. There’s people who drop out of college because the stress is too much. Although that’s not an option for me, I do think taking time to focus on your mental health is important.

My advice to anyone who feels overwhelmed this new semester is to not forget about your mental health. Your body is a working machine, with the brain being the control center. There is no shame in putting everything aside in taking a mental health day if you need it.

In short, don’t forget that your mental health is important, and if you feel like you can’t handle the stress, don’t be afraid to quit something. You can always pick it back up again whenever you feel better.