One month left and then freedom! The only thing standing in your way: exams.
During this stressful time students tend to throw themselves into studying, and the month of April is full of cramming, all-nighters, stress-eating, and a lack of routine.
Students forget to take care of themselves both mentally and physically, but self-care is so important and shouldn’t be put on the back-burner. By taking care of yourself, you are helping to keep your stress levels down, which in turn helps your stamina and energy and helps you be more successful with your exams. I’m not suggesting you need to take days off to take care of yourself, but in reality we don’t study every second of every day, and so we have time to do little things to take care of ourselves, such as:
- Take a nap
- Go for a walk
- Bake cookies
- Go out to dinner with friends
- Watch a movie
- Try a new face mask
- Take a bath
- Enjoy a cup of tea
- Take a yoga class
- Call your parents
- Go to bed early
- Meditate
Remember, taking care of yourself is all about making your stress levels manageable.
If your stress levels are not manageable or you think you need help, there is support available and there are after hours support. I’m sure you’ve seen the Take Care After Hours Support posters around campus, but just in case you haven’t and want to access these resources, here is the information.
AFTER HOURS SUPPORT:
Good2Talk
1 (866) 925-5454
24/7 professional counselling, information, and referrals for post-secondary students
LGBT Youthline (www.youthline.ca)
Call (1-800-268-9688)
Text (647-694-4275)
Sunday to Friday, 4:00-9:30pm
ReachOut247.ca
(519) 433-2023 or 1 (866) 933-2023
Call or web chat 24/7 with a professional who can provide information, resources, and mobile crisis support
Walk-in mental health and addictions support also available 24/7 at 648 Huron Street
Sexual Assault Centre London
(519) 438-2272
24/7 crisis support line
255 Horton Street East, 3rd Floor
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
1 (855) 242-3310
Call 24/7 for immediate, culturally relevant telephone crisis intervention counselling support
CMHA Crisis Counselling
Every Thursday, Wednesday and Thursday 5-9pm until April 20th at Student Health Services (UCC 11)
Helpline.ca
Mental Health: 1 (800) 531-2600
Drugs and Alcohol: 1 (800) 565-8603
Gambling: 1 (888) 230-3505
Provides information about support and treatment services in your community
WESTERN:
Wellness Education Centre (wec.uwo.ca)
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
(519) 661-2111 x87127, UCC 76
Psychological Services (sdc.uwo.ca/psych)
Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4pm
(519) 661-3031, WSS 4th Floor
Images from:
http://rebloggy.com/post/the-signs-studying/119378310513