Balancing Books and Well-being: Navigating the Maze of College Life

samanthadeiorio
Oct 31, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2023

Written by: Sammie Deiorio

October 31, 2023

Embarking on the journey of higher education at James Madison University is an exhilarating experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Navigating the demanding academic landscape while maintaining your mental health may seem like a daunting task, but fear not—this guide is here to illuminate the path to achieving balance at JMU.

It wasn't until my first year of college that I truly grasped the impact of school on my mental well-being. Seated in my dorm room in Dingledine Hall, I could feel my heart racing at the mere prospect of performing poorly on my upcoming economics exam, wondering how I had allowed my stress to spiral out of control.

College didn't start my mental health rollercoaster, but the mix of hardcore academics and being miles away from my support system cranked up my existing depression and anxiety. Figuring out how to spot and handle mental health stuff has been a long, bumpy ride, and I'm still wrapping my head around how to sync up my sanity with all the college chaos. Here are a few game-changers that have really helped me rein in my anxiety during my college journey so far.

Establish a Realistic Routine

The first step towards equilibrium is to establish a realistic routine tailored to your individual needs. Consider your class schedule, study habits, and personal preferences when creating an agenda. This is one thing that truly helped me, once I established a routine, I began to feel my stress simmer away.

At the beginning of each semester after receiving my syllabi, I put all of the major due dates into my Google Calendar to make sure they don't sneak up on me. I also add in appointments, organizations meetings, and other commitments as they arise, just to give myself a general idea of what my weeks will look like. Using this calendar, at the beginning of each week I create a to do list that consists of homework, chores and other important tasks on a virtual sticky note on my computer that is constantly displayed on my desktop, that way I can't ignore it. I then divide each task into sections: homework, to-do, and important dates and list them in order of importance and urgency.

Check out my digital sticky note for this week—it's a snapshot of my current priorities. With the dates neatly arranged, it's my secret weapon for prioritizing tasks. This visual layout not only keeps me on track but also helps me craft a strategic plan to conquer each bullet point.

As the week proceeds, I cross off each task as I complete them. Having a well-organized yet adaptable plan for the week provides me with the reassurance that I can calm myself when the feeling of being overwhelmed sets in. A well-structured routine gives me a sense of stability, which is essential for managing the stress that often accompanies academic demands.

Prioritize Self-Care

Despite my efforts to juggle mental well-being and academics, it's no cakewalk. There are days I'm stressing over forgetting assignments listed on my to-do, or acing a test I thought I had down pat. Depression likes to crash the party, sapping my motivation to tackle work, and anxiety about the future? That's a regular companion. It's in these moments that I've got to remind myself to show some self-compassion.

Cutting myself some slack is what self-compassion is all about—letting go when things don't go textbook perfect. It's about being kind to myself instead of giving in to self-criticism when my anxiety or depression gets heavy. Even on the days that feel like a struggle, I'm putting in my best effort. I can forgive myself for slip-ups. Taking a breather and looking out for myself? Absolutely deserved. And for those real rough patches, I've got a handy list of college coping tricks that I've compiled on my phone, ready to pull out whenever I need a boost.

Prioritizing self-care is crucial—ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet, and incorporate physical activity into your routine. Recognize things that make you feel good, fulfill you, and things that leave you feeling warm inside.

Navigating the balance between mental health and college life? Certainly not a stroll in the park. I'm nowhere near having it all sorted, but it seems like I'm getting on the right track. Right now, I'm rolling with what works for me and aiming to level up each day, making it a tad better than the last. Feel free to read through my list and give some of them a try -- they might help.

Utilize Your Resources

At JMU, there's a ton of backup to help you ace your academic game. Whether it's seeking guidance from professors during office hours, utilizing tutoring services, or tapping into academic resources, don't hesitate to reach out when needed.

The Learning Centers

The learning center at our campus has been a total lifesaver for me. They offer free tutoring, and the best part is you get to choose between in-person or online sessions, consultations, or study groups, depending on what works for you. Every time I've swung by the learning center I've walked out feeling accomplished.

The Learning Center is located on the first floor on the Student Success Center on Main Campus in rooms 1100-1167. To the right is a map of the first floor in SSC.

Image by JMU via the JMU Student Success Center Website

The tutors? Mostly other students like us—undergrads or grad students—so there's no weird age gap, and even if you do get paired with a faculty member, they are all super nice and there to help you. No awkwardness, just good help. The learning center is composed of 130 peer educators and 18 staff members. In the 2016-2017 school year, the Learning Center had a total of 44,600 student encounters, what an impact!

When you get there, just sign in on a computer using your JMU eID, find the table your desired subject is assigned to, take a seat and you will began to be helped immediately. It's seriously the go-to move for feeling confident and staying on top of the academic game.

Unmasking the Myth of Scary Office Hours

Here's an insider tip: make the most of your professors' office hours. I get it, the idea might seem daunting, but trust me, most professors are more than willing to assist you. They're not as intimidating as you might imagine.

Personally, I make a point to introduce myself to my professors at the start of every semester. This way, when I swing by their office hours, it's way less awkward—it's like having a built-in icebreaker.

Prepare some questions or discussion points in advance so you have a clear purpose for the visit. Also, keep in mind that you're not alone in feeling a bit nervous—many students do. It's okay to start small, maybe with a brief question, and gradually build up to more in-depth discussions. Lastly, remind yourself that attending office hours is a proactive step toward understanding the material and improving your performance. You've got this!

Constructing Connections

Building a strong support network is equally important; connect with your fellow Dukes by joining clubs, attending social events, and engaging in campus activities. Having a community to share experiences with can be a powerful buffer against the challenges of academia.

Back home, I had a circle of people I could lean on for support. College life, however, presented a different challenge. Despite having close friends, there lingered a sense that no one truly grasped what I was going through. Succumbing to the temptation of isolation during bouts of anxiety became all too common, leaving me even more despondent.

The trickiest part of building a new circle in college? Everything just felt so massive. High school was a breeze for making connections—you're stuck with the same crowd for four years. But in college, trying to make friends in a giant lecture hall with hundreds of faces? That's a whole different ball game compared to the cozy classrooms back in high school.

As time went on, I figured out the college social scene. I joined clubs and activities that caught my eye, and it turned out to be a goldmine for meeting cool people who shared my interests. Every friendly face I spotted on campus chipped away at that feeling of loneliness.

I made some friendships with people I know I will be friends with after college. When I spill about a rough exam grade to my friends, they're pros at calming my anxiety and putting things into perspective. They remind me that one grade doesn't define the whole semester, which helps me shift my focus from overthinking to giving my best effort. Having that kind of backup makes it way simpler to break free from my own mental knots and concentrate on nailing my work.

In the end, it's about finding what works for you and leveling up each day. College may throw challenges, but with the right strategies and support, you can navigate the chaos, prioritize your mental health, and emerge stronger.

Breaking free from the isolation temptation and embracing the vastness of the college social scene has been transformative. Making friends who understand and support me has made the college journey more fulfilling.

Feel free to explore the tips shared in this guide—they might just be the game-changers you need to thrive in your college journey.