Affecting your sleep?
Sleep is one of the most important necessities for anyone going through the strains and challenges of college life, yet it is also the time in your life where your sleep cycle is most likely to be out of line of your daily schedule. While a little grogginess, grumbling and bleary eyes are nothing to be concerned about, there are some signs that there are larger underlying problems that are preventing you from getting your full nights rest.
If you:
- have persistent nightmares, whether general or specific
- are unable to sleep entirely through the night
- are unable to go to bed at a reasonable time
- find yourself wanting to sleep in the day
- find yourself wanting to take smaller naps constantly
Then consider whether or not there is an underlying mental health related issue causing this. The more symptoms that present the more you should try and seek out help for it, however there are a number of steps to take that could help with smaller issues.
To help with minor sleep issues:
- Avoid technology (Blue screens) before bed; these can negatively impact your ability to go to sleep
- Focus on good diet and exercise; these will naturally help you develop your need for proper rest
- Avoid acknowledged sources of stress; while not often easy, any acknowledged sources of stress that you can cut out will likely help
If you still have troubled sleeping, feel that there's too many symptoms or causes, or even find yourself unable to sleep at all then it's recommend you contact professional help either through the Online Support page or the GCCSA
For general information on sleeping issues, please consult the pages linked below
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/sleep-problems/sleep-problems/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/sleep-problems/sleep-problems/
Affecting your concentration?
At College, the amount of information you'll be expected to learn, memorise and understand is often quite a shock to those going into it, especially as topic material becomes harder and more difficult to comprehend. And it's natural for minds to wander now and then when you're thoughts turn to the weekend, home or your hobbies. But concentration is still something that's needed to excel in your studies, and if it reaches the point where you're actively noticing its lacking then its time to consider whether there's underlying issues that are at hand.
If you:
- Are unable to pay reasonable or regular attention in your classes
- Are unable to commit to goals regardless of planning/investment needed
- Find your thoughts always turn to a singular point or topic regardless of circumstance
- Find yourself frustrated when trying to take on a singular task
- Are avoiding deadlines and projects at all costs
Then consider whether or not there is an underlying mental health related issue causing this. The more symptoms that present the more you should try and seek out help for it, however there are a number of steps to take that could help with smaller issues.
To help improve concentration:
- Figure out what your negative focus is; if you can't think of anything but one thing (E.g. upcoming project, relationship) then it's something that needs discussing, resolving or avoiding.
- Make sure you're getting enough sleep; if the material is complex and you're tired, your mind may default to easier daydreams.
- Plan tasks ahead of time into manageable chunks; preparation helps make tasks seem less daunting
If you still have troubled concentrating, feel that there's too many symptoms or causes, or even find yourself unable to focus even in simple circumstances then it's recommend you contact professional help either through the Online Support page or the GCCSA.
Affecting your behaviour?
With the physical and emotional changes that happen in College, it'll be one of the first true times when you really start to consider your behaviour in a self conscious way; trying to find out how it'll define you in what you may consider your first taste of early adult life. However you may notice that your behaviour starts to change in ways you don't expect or even entirely like; this can have significant impacts on your social circle, your academic studies and even your life at home. Whether a persistent change or random peaks of highs and lows, taking your behaviour into account is an essential part of understanding your mental well being.
If you:
- find yourself regularly defaulting to an emotion; even if you feel it doesn't fit the situation
- find yourself going through rapid mood swings; switching from positive to negative with no reasonable cause
- find yourself unable to connect with the emotions of your social group
- find your thoughts are frequently or constantly negative
- feel you have to portray different emotions from how you actually feel
Then consider whether or not there is an underlying mental health related issue causing this. The more symptoms that present the more you should try and seek out help for it, however there are a number of steps to take that could help with smaller issues.
To help improve your behaviour:
- find people to be open and honest with; hiding or masking your true emotions often leads to more negative ones arising
- see if there's a source to it; a particular person or circumstance may be causing your behaviour to shift (E.g. become defensive about a bully).
- focus on the things you enjoy; if there's a particular hobby or person you feel less negative about then see if you can do more with them instead of the others
- avoid or discuss negatively impactful situations; if you know that a certain activity or circumstance makes you react badly, either avoid it or work with someone to make it less unpleasant.
If you still have troubled with your behaviour, feel that there's too many symptoms or causes, or even find yourself acting erratically or constantly negatively then it's recommend you contact professional help either through the Online Support page or the GCCSA.
Affecting your attendance?
While there'll be more emphasis in personal understanding and development in College, attendance is still an essential part that'll give you the grounding you'll need to tackle homework, exams and projects needed to do well at GCC. Now it's entirely natural not to have a perfect attendance record; the odd pre-planned holiday, sick day or other unexpected absence will happen and they're nothing to be concerned about. However if these absences stack up, or especially if you're finding you actively seek them out even when under false pretences then it's time to consider if there's something underlying that's causing it.
If you:
- find yourself faking illness to avoid coming into College
- find yourself skipping classes, especially on a regular basis
- find yourself trying to intentionally be late or leave College early for no open reason
- find yourself wanting to be anywhere but class/College
- find yourself prioritising things outside of College to the point of skipping lessons
Then consider whether or not there is an underlying mental health related issue causing this. The more symptoms that present the more you should try and seek out help for it, however there are a number of steps to take that could help with smaller issues.
To help improve your attendance:
- analyse why you're avoiding College; is there a person or class you're trying to avoid at all costs?
- analyse what you're doing instead; is there some activity you're having trouble not doing even at the expense of your study attendance?
- speak with your teacher of the classes you're avoiding; if it's work load related they may be able to help you shoulder the burden
- make sure your diet and sleep cycle is good; if it's poor then your need for absences may be your body trying to tell you to be home and recuperate
If you still have troubled with your attendance, can't figure out why you're avoiding it or feel you want to outright stay away from the College physically then it's recommend you contact professional help either through the Online Support page or the GCCSA.
Affecting your relationships?
A relationship in College may be one of the first times it can really be called a serious thing, or it might just be the friendships you have with your fellow classmates. But it may also be the first time you experience true mental issues with these relationships too, leading to new, unpleasant feelings that can can knock on to impact your studies; stress, jealousy, anxiety just to name a few. A relationship should be a positive for you and help you through this stage of your life, but if you start to feel any of the above mentioned, it might be time to start considering whether there's an underlying mental health issue.
If you:
- find yourself feeling anxious about being or not being around your partner
- find yourself getting angry or sad when talking to or about your relationship
- find your relationship is impacting on any of the above categories
- find you're starting to feel isolate and cut off from your social groups
Then consider whether or not there is an underlying mental health related issue causing this. The more difficult it is for you to pin down the cause of, the more you should try and seek out help for it, however there are a number of steps to take that could help with smaller issues.
To help improve your relationships:
- try and reason out whether the relationship is making you happy. They always should, and if they're not then something is wrong
- try speaking openly to your partner about what you're feeling; if it's something to last they'll be ready to help you through it and will appreciate the honesty
- try and analyse the relationship with a trusted friend or family member; they may be able to help you see the cause of the negative feelings that you couldn't
- try and write down why you were with the social group before, and why you feel isolate now. What's changed since then?
If you still have troubled with your relationship, think there's deeper underlying issues or find yourself becoming entirely socially isolated then it's recommend you contact professional help either through the Online Support page or the GCCSA.