Studying means more than just attending lectures and taking exams. It is a phase of life full of changes, challenges and new experiences. While this time can be exciting and rewarding, it also brings with it a number of stressors that can impact our mental health. But what does “mental health” actually mean and why is it so important, especially for students?
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel and act, especially in stressful situations. Good mental health allows us to cope with life’s ups and downs and fulfill our potential. When studying, the pressure to perform, social isolation and fears for the future are common. This is why it´s so important to pay attention to your own mental health.
Mental health risks
Achieving good grades can be an overwhelming pressure. Exams, deadlines and the constant pursuit of academic excellence can lead to significant feelings of stress and anxiety. Comparison with fellow students and the feeling of constantly having to achieve top performance add to the stress.
The transition from school to university often means that students enter a new environment, away from family and friends. Building new social networks can be difficult, and many students feel isolated and lonely. This isolation can take a toll on mental health and diminish a sense of belonging.
Financial burden of college tuition, living expenses, and possible lack of financial support can be a significant stressor too. Many students have to work alongside their studies, which leads to additional workload and less free time.
Irregular sleep patterns and lack of sleep are common among students. Long nights for studying or social activities can affect sleep quality. Chronic lack of sleep can lead to worsening mental health and increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
Uncertainty about one’s future and possible life path after graduation can contribute to anxiety. The pressure to find a suitable career and compete in the job market is another source of stress.
Wohlfühlcampus resource
It is important that students are aware of the challenges they face and that they develop strategies to deal with them. Universities often provide numerous resources, including the MLU. The student health management, also known as the Wohlfühlcampus, offers a variety of support during your studies. (The name should be familiar to anyone who regularly checks their university mails.) But it is also worth taking a look at the website www.sgm.uni-halle.de. The Wohlfühlcampus offers range from events to advisory services that have been put together to make everyday life in university easier. Most offers are online and can therefore be easily integrated into your daily routine. The “Student Health Management” project is carried out in cooperation with the Techniker Krankenkasse and is represented by students and employees from different institutions.
The following offers were available in the summer semester of 2024:
Study-Life blending
Help setting boundaries between studies and everyday life, in order to bring life back into balance.
Learning strategies 2.0 / Lernstrategien 2.0
A workshop on effective learning strategies.
Women’s Health / Frauengesundheit
Insight into cycle-based stress management.
Fear – challenges in studying / Angst – Herausforderungen im Studium
Consideration of potential fears in the context of studies and how to deal with them.
Mindfulness and emotions / Achtsamkeit und Emotionen
Learn to live in the present and get rid of negative behavior patterns.
Fuel sugar / Zündstoff Zucker
Information about the negative effects of sugar consumption.
Mentally strong through the exam / Mental stark durch die Prüfung
Keynote speech about keeping your nerve during the exam phase.
Lionletics
Obstacle course at the Ziegelwiese sports field to promote team spirit.
Yoga-Day
Yoga session for beginners and advanced students at the Ziegelwiese sports field, accompanied by a teacher.
Healthy leadership / Gesundes Führen
Insight into leadership styles and the importance of delegating tasks.
University break / Uni Break
Sporty suggestions for an active break to loosen up everyday life.
TK health coach / TK-Gesundheitscoach
Flexible exercise program, adapted to your own fitness status.
Coping strategies
In addition, simple measures can also help improve mental health. If you want to avoid stress, pay attention to good time management to prevent pressure. A healthy lifestyle – exercise, a balanced diet and enough sleep – is also helpful. Moreover, stable social networks and mindfulness in everyday life are important for our mental health. Therefore, you should pay attention to how situations and people close to you affect your own mood. If you’re open to it, yoga, meditation or breathing exercises can help to calm the mind. In the end you should optimize your own problem solving — set realistic goals, recognize your own progress, recover from setbacks. Everyone has to decide for themselves which strategies work best.
Take care of your health!
Mental health care is an ongoing process that requires conscious effort and commitment. By applying these strategies, students can build resilience, reduce stress and develop a balanced lifestyle that will benefit them not only during college, but also later in life.
It is important to remember that it is okay to seek help and take care of yourself — because mental health is just as important as physical health.
Author: Anne Körsten
Illustration: Anne Körsten