How to NOT let your Mental Illness Take Control of your Student Life

By Raischa P. Guilloty Soto.

We all know that being a student at UPRM is stressful, exhausting, and occasionally all-consuming, which could lead to a serious mental breakdown, especially if you suffer from any form of mental illness—whether it’s depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder, among others. It’s okay to feel pressured, but you shouldn’t have to worry whether or not you will survive this semester.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to avoid letting your mental illness affect your student life:

1.       Organize, organize, organize.

The best way to not let all that stress get to you is to organize yourself on a daily basis. Set a time to study for each class or do your assignments in order of priority. Read the material your professors assign you and if you have any doubts, clarify them that same day, whether through an email or by asking a classmate who might know. The quicker the better, that way, when your tests are around the corner, you won’t feel like you have to study so much and won’t feel like your chest is tightening with that “I-don’t-know-anything-I’m-going-to-fail” feeling. There are so many tools that can help you get organize like:

• Google Calendar (or just about any google related app)

• Wunderlist

• Asana

• Trillo

• Old-fashion agenda

• iStudiez Pro

• Evernote

• StudyBlue

• Chegg

• iProcrastinate

• Outliner

2.       Treat yourself.

It is always a good idea to set some time for yourself daily, or pick a day in the week where you don’t do anything university-related (unless you have last minute homework or it’s the night before a test). Buy yourself something nice. Go out with friends. Binge-watch your favorite series. Go out to the beach. Brush your hair. Adopt a puppy. Get your nails done. Binge-shop at wish.com (but, just a little). Put on your nicest outfit or just put on your favorite sweats, whatever makes you feel better. Take a long nap. Read. Write. Do anything that will make that anxiety go away.

3.       Be a part of something.

As a person who has closely dealt with mental illnesses, I can certainly say that there’s nothing worse than being alone with your own mind for too long. So, be active! UPRM has an endless selection of student associations, NGO’s, community service groups, etc. Join one! You’ll meet new people, keep yourself busy, and grow professionally and as a person. Most importantly, nothing scares those “I’m not good enough” anxiety attacks than feeling like you’re making a difference and helping your own résumé.

4.       Talk it out.

I know that sometimes it’s hard and you think that nobody can relate but, believe me, many people do. Even if none of your friends suffer from any sort of mental illness, everyone suffers from excessive stress and can relate in one way or another. Who knows, you even talk it out with one of your classmates. Like I said, we all go through it at some point, there’s no need to do it on your own. Find yourself a listening buddy (or buddies) that you can always talk to when the going gets tough. You will meet amazing people on campus, and there will always be someone down to listen and help. Or if you’re not comfortable talking about it with anyone (which is also fine!) get a diary. It’s always a good idea to get all those thoughts out on paper.

5.       Mental sick days are totally okay.

If you ever feel like everything is too much, it’s okay to throw the towel for a little while. It’s okay to skip a class one day or sleep in. It’s just a test, it’s just an assignment, it’s just a class. Your mental health is more important. But, don’t give up and don’t make it a habit! You couldn’t organize yourself for this test and could barely study? Learn from this! And go for the kill for the next one. You feel like the burden is too much and don’t want to see anyone? It’s okay, but don’t get used to it! One bad test or one bad day isn’t going to define your future, but giving up will.

6.       Find a safe spot.

If you feel overwhelmed find yourself a place that will motivate you to study or just to take a break. For example, some people enjoy spending more time in the library—there’s no better way to  concentrate than being surrounded by other focused people. If you’re more like me, who prefers less quite spaces, you can try going to local cafés like Friend’s Café, Cabra Tostá, or Massa Artisan Bakery, where you can study peacefully and take a break with a great cup of coffee.

7.       If you start feeling the early symptoms of your mental illness, do not let it become an episode.

People who have suffered from mental illnesses for some time now know when their illness is showing it’s ugly head out. If you start showing early symptoms, attend it quickly! Nobody knows yourself better than you. If you start feeling anxious, take a break, reorganize, self-assess, and relax; don’t let it get the best out of you. You are so much more than this.

8.       Keep motivational messages everywhere.

What I also do, is that I screenshot messages from my loved ones, print them out, and glue them on my agenda. If you ever feel down, it’s a good reminder, it doesn’t matter how old it is. Or you can find a motivational message online (Hint: like the ones we post on all of Her Campus UPRM’s social media accounts *wink wink*) and put them as your phone screensaver, or even print them out and place them in your room in a cute frame. Or you can also turn your notifications on for different pages that post daily messages or videos that will keep you from letting those nasty thoughts creep on you.

9.       You are amazing, don’t ever forget it.

Mental illnesses can attack that way we see ourselves in tragic ways. Remember you are an amazing person and if you’d come this far, you are better than any of the ugly thoughts you may have. Self-love and confidence are the key to being successful, so remind yourself daily that you can do anything, even if you don’t believe it at the beginning. You are never alone and you can do this. Your mental illness has never defined you, don’t let it define your student life.

10.   If you really feel like you can’t take it, look for professional help.

We have an excellent department of counseling and psychology. If you ever feel like you might need help, don’t be afraid to look for it!

You can get hold to any of our clinical psychologists at the following phone extensions: 2040 and/or 3864.

You can ask for any of our clinical psychologists:

·         Prof. Calderón Fontanes, Zaida

·         Dra. Mestre Bonet, Scheila

·         Dr. Rivera Castillo, Emir S.

·         Dr. Tsai Roque, Scott

You can find more information at: www.uprm.edu/orientacion/

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