School is stressful, especially for college students. You're on the brink of starting a career. You're trying to plan out your life, cross the t's and dot the i's. Maybe grad school is around the corner for you, or a dream job. With the semester winding down and finals approaching fast, it's easy to get caught up in the rush of classes, projects, and studying, and forget other equally-- or arguably more-- important things.
These things include your mental and physical health. Many students stretch themselves thing during finals, barely sleeping, spending nights in the library, and living off of caffeine and protein bars. They emerge after finals having forgotten the feel of the sun and the taste of a real meal. Don't neglect yourself like this. It may be easy to spend hours in a book and forget to stop to eat, but set alarms to remind you if you need to. Get a full night's sleep. These things may take time away from your studying binge, but they may, in fact, help you perform better on those upcoming finals. Many studies have shown that there is little that can help your cognitive functions as much as a full night's sleep and a solid, protein-filled breakfast.
Mental health is also clearly at stake here. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 42% of students report anxiety being their first concern, with depression following right behind at 36%, as of 2013. Those numbers are astronomical. Almost half of the student population is struggling with debilitating mental health issues. This isn't the "good" kind of stress, either, the one that makes you energetic and productive (often referred to as eustress ). This is the kind that weighs on you, eating away at your ability to focus, connect, and be productive. This anxiety can harm you mentally and make it harder to achieve your academic goals.
Being successful means many different things. Sure, good grades and a good career may seem like most of it, but there’s a lot more to “success” in life. Such as being happy and healthy. This concept of health is also a cycle— emotional and physical health leads to being more successful, and being successful can help you become healthier. Establishing good habits can actually help you achieve your goals without being distracted by stress and bad health.
Anxiety can even affect your body in ways you may not realize. Stress can suppress your immune system, leaving your body open to viruses and colds. It affects your sleeping patterns, immune system, and ability to focus and perform everyday tasks. So study your heart out. Do great. Just remember to take care of yourself in the meantime.
