Written by Christopher Parsons, M.A. in English, Founder of The College Planning Center. With over 25 years in education, Christopher has guided thousands of families through the admissions journey.
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just tired, you’re not alone.
Lately, I’ve noticed a troubling trend among high school students: schedules packed with AP classes, after-school sports, clubs, and volunteering — yet almost no time to breathe. Students are so focused on productivity that they’re forgetting a vital part of the success equation: taking care of themselves.
Let’s be clear — self-care is not selfish. It’s survival. And if you want to perform at your best academically, socially, and emotionally, you need to learn how to recharge your batteries regularly, not just during holiday breaks.
Key Points
- Mental health is a foundation for success in school and beyond.
- Mental health tips for students can prevent burnout and boost resilience.
- Balance matters in college admissions as much as grades and activities.
- Self-care works best when scheduled consistently, not just occasionally.
- Small daily actions like journaling, meditation, or laughter build long-term habits.
Mental Health for Students: Why Prioritizing Self Care Improves Performance
Your brain needs breaks. Just like muscles need rest after a workout, your brain functions better with downtime. Constant study marathons actually reduce memory retention and increase burnout.
Stress builds up. If you don’t have healthy outlets, stress can lead to sleep issues, anxiety, mood swings, and physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
College admissions officers notice balance. Believe it or not, they’re not just looking for high GPAs — they want to see well-rounded, resilient students. If you’re constantly stretched too thin, that’s not sustainable.
👉 Set a timer for study breaks. Even a 10-minute walk or stretch every hour can improve focus and lower stress hormones.
Mental Health Tips for Students: Simple Ways That Work
Here are seven quick strategies you can start using this week, inspired by our favorite student-tested relaxation tools.
Mental Health Box Breathing Technique Used by Navy SEALs
Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3–5 rounds. It calms your nervous system and sharpens your focus in under 2 minutes.
👉 Use this before exams, sports, or presentations when nerves spike.
Mental Health 10 Minute Meditation for Students
Use apps like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer to build a reset routine. Or follow a free YouTube video.
👉 Pair meditation with your nightly routine — for example, 5 minutes of breathing before brushing your teeth.
Mental Health Gratitude Journal Ideas for Students
Spend five minutes writing down three things you’re grateful for.
👉 Keep a small notebook on your nightstand and do this before bed to improve sleep quality.
Mental Health Outdoors Reset for Lower Stress
A short walk or sitting in the sun resets your body and mind.
👉 Instead of scrolling between homework, step outside — even a quick lap around the block works.
Mental Health Mindful Scrolling vs Doomscrolling
Follow positive creators instead of endless feeds.
👉 Set a timer for 15 minutes of “scroll time” and stick to it. Curate your feed by unfollowing accounts that stress you out.
Mental Health and Laughter for Stress Relief
Laughter releases endorphins and lowers stress.
👉 Save a “go-to funny playlist” of clips or shows that always make you laugh.
Mental Health Reset Playlist for Focus
Music shifts your energy and helps you transition.
👉 Create two playlists — one calming for winding down, one energizing for focus.
Mental Health Tips for Students: Make a Self Care Plan for the Week
Treat this like a class or activity — schedule it.
👉 On Sunday night, pick two habits (like gratitude journaling + walking) and add them to your calendar for the week. At the end, reflect on how you felt.
Mental Health Tips for Students: Balance, Burnout, and Better Habits
Your GPA doesn’t define you. Balance is more important than overloading your schedule.
👉 Audit your week. Write down where your time actually goes — school, sports, clubs, study, rest. If self-care is missing, block at least 20 minutes daily.
Mental Health Activities for Students: A Quick Reference List
- Box breathing
- Daily meditation
- Gratitude journaling
- Time outdoors
- Mindful scrolling
- Laughter breaks
- Reset playlists
👉 Print this list and tape it near your desk as a reminder.
Mental Health for College Readiness
Stress only grows in college — building habits now makes it easier.
Mental Health Tips for College Students
- Use counseling resources.
- Keep consistent sleep.
- Balance work and activities.
- Find supportive peers.
👉 During orientation week, locate the student health center and add their phone number to your contacts.
Final Thought on Mental Health for Students
You are more than your GPA. Your value isn’t measured in test scores or trophies. You deserve time to rest, reflect, and recharge — because success isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about knowing when to pause.
So hit pause. Take care of yourself. That is part of the plan.
Key Takeaways
- Mental health tips for students work best when practiced consistently.
- Small daily habits like box breathing or journaling prevent burnout.
- Admissions value resilience, not just grades.
- Mental health activities for students can fit into any schedule.
- Taking mental health days can help — when used wisely.
- Build strong self-care habits now to make college transitions smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Month. Use awareness months to share resources with friends or clubs.
May is Women’s Mental Health Month. Look for school or community workshops during this time — many are free.
Yes. Stretching for five minutes between classes can prevent tension headaches and pain.
Yes. If dizziness continues, combine stress relief with hydration and see a doctor.
If you feel persistent fatigue or headaches, talk to a counselor or doctor early.
Atomic Habits and The Happiness Advantage are both beginner-friendly and practical.
Special thanks to Christopher Parsons for writing this blog post.
Christopher has a strong educational background, including Doctoral studies in English Literature and Creative Writing, a Master’s Degree in English, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History. He also has a background in Mass Communications and Public Relations/Marketing.
He has successfully won scholarship offers from prestigious schools and over $250,000 in grants and scholarships. His real-world personal experience resonates well with today’s students.
