Hi! I’m Polina, a second-year university student studying while also working part-time as a Marketing Assistant here at Working Options. I find that life can be hectic and overwhelming at times as a student, especially during exam season, so taking care of my mental health is very important. In case they can be useful, I’m sharing some of my tips for looking after yourself and your mental wellbeing.  

 Get active 
Exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health, but also a great way to boost your mood. You could do any activity you like, maybe joining a sports team, doing some yoga or even going for a walk with friends. This will also help you switch your focus from studies to something else, so you can clear your head. If you’re not sure where to start, try a workout app like Sweat or Caliber for pre-made workout plans and tutorials.

Take time for yourself  
You can’t work all the time as this might lead you to burnout, you need some downtime. Enjoy time in your day away from everything, close your books, turn off your phone and try to some mindfulness activities, like meditating for a minute or two. Pay attention to your thoughts, worries and feelings, as this will help you understand what is causing you any stress. Guided meditations are a great way to start practicing mindfulness, so I’d recommend checking out the app Insight Timer for lots of free options.
 

Sleep and the power of dreams
Aim to sleep 8 hours each night, not only to feel better and more energised during the day but also for your body to repair its cells and for consolidation of memories. Not getting enough sleep will leave you feeling groggy and struggling to concentrate and can also make you more irritable and moodier. These effects can build up, harming your physical and mental health. Avoid this by making sure to sleep enough and having a good sleep routine. You can track your sleep to help you make sure of this, for example, using the app Sleep Cycle, which will monitor your sleep as well as helping you wake up feeling refreshed by waking you up during your lightest phase of sleep. 

Wrap yourself in good company 
Surround yourself with people that make you feel good. Social support is great for your mental health, so make sure to make time for friends and family, even if you are busy. Why not start by inviting your friends for a meal together (if you’re stuck on ideas, I’d recommend looking at apps like Gadder or Yelp). I know it can be really difficult to find a time when everyone is available, so a good trick for this is using the app Howbout, which will help you make plans by comparing each other’s calendars. 

Goals 
Set realistic goals and manage your time to stay on track. Understand your goals and break them down so that you can manage your time and schedule tasks you need to do to achieve them. For example, try using a calendar and time blocking certain parts of your day. This might help to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, hopefully helping to limit stress and anxiety. I shared a few of my recommendations for apps to stay organised and reach your study goals, which you can check out here: https://workingoptions.org.uk/student-zone/top-free-platforms-to-boost-productivity-and-simplify-your-studies%e2%80%af/.
 

Switch your phone off … after you read this! 
You might already know this, but it is crucial to limit your screen time. Endless scrolling on social media can not only turn into hours and hours of wasted time but can also harm your mental health. Moreover, too much screen time before going to bed will decrease your sleep quality, so try to set a limit for certain apps, or put your phone away an hour before you go to sleep. Apps like Offscreen or Flora can help you to do this.
 

Please ask for help  
If you feel that you are struggling, tell someone you trust like a friend, parent or teacher. Talking through your problems will help, by letting you understand what you think is making you feel a certain way and can also helping you reach out for further help. It is ALWAYS okay to ask for help.  

Thanks for reading! I hope these tips help you take care of yourself. If you have any questions, or suggestions of your own, get in touch and let us know!