What To Do If You're Feeling Depressed Before College
It’s normal to feel like you’re going through a rollercoaster of emotions when you’re getting ready to leave for college. For many teens and young adults, it’s the first time you’ll be on your own. You’ll be in a new environment, and it’s understandable to be a little anxious and nervous. But, if you’re feeling depressed before college, and it’s already impacting how you feel about leaving and starting the next chapter of your life, it’s important to do something about it. The more you take care of your mental health now and work to fight back against depression, the better you’ll feel as you head off to school.
So, what can you do if you’re feeling depressed before college?
Practice Self-Care
Self-care can sometimes seem like a marketing term or buzzword, but it’s actually quite essential for your overall well-being. As a busy college student, you might think you won’t have time for self-care, but it doesn’t need to take hours of your day. Getting into a self-care routine now will make it easier to stick with healthy habits while you’re in college. Things like exercising, cooking healthy meals, and even journaling are all forms of self-care. Not only will they help you feel better on a short-term basis, but they can help you manage the symptoms of depression and feel better about life each day.
Make a Plan to Stay Connected
College provides a great opportunity to meet new people. However, it’s not uncommon to feel depressed when you think about the loved ones you’re leaving behind. To ease those sad or helpless thoughts, make a plan with your friends and family to stay connected. In today’s tech-savvy world, that’s easier than ever. Plan to talk with your parents several times a week, and have a weekly Zoom meeting with your friends from home. While it’s important to develop and foster new relationships, if the idea of leaving home has you feeling depressed, don’t be afraid to lean on the support system you know to boost your mood and give you something to look forward to.
Maintain Your Routines
One thing about college that can make you feel both anxious and depressed is how different it can feel from what you’re used to. You might not be able to control your environment, but you can control what you do each day. Routines are important for everyone, and they can be a great way to manage your depression. Commit to keeping familiar routines while in college, including prioritizing a healthy sleep schedule. A lack of sleep and depression tend to go hand-in-hand and can be cyclical. Get enough rest each night, and it will be easier to manage your symptoms.
Use Your Resources
If you’re already feeling depressed about going to college, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Seeking help from a therapist or counselor now can give you the skills you need to manage your depression while you’re away. Additionally, utilize any campus resources available to you. Most colleges across the country have mental health resources available at no cost. Sometimes, just talking to a professional about how you’re feeling can make a big difference.
Your collegiate career could end up being the best experience of your life. Don’t let depressed thoughts keep you from enjoying yourself and soaking up every unique opportunity. If you’re feeling depressed before college, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment for depression therapy or life transitions. Together, we’ll get to the root cause of your depression and work on more ways you can take care of it now and while you’re in school.
