You know that moment when your laptop fan sounds like it’s about to take off, your coffee’s gone cold, and your to-do list looks like it’s planning world domination? Yeah. That’s university life. Between 8 a.m. lectures, late-night study sessions, and trying to pretend you have a social life, it’s easy to forget that you (the person behind the hustle) need recharging too.

Here’s the truth: your mental health isn’t an optional extra. It’s the Wi-Fi connection to your well-being; when it’s weak, everything else lags.

So, let’s talk about how to keep your mental health in check while you chase those grades, dreams, and deadlines.

Romanticise the small things

Not every day is going to feel like a highlight reel, and that’s okay. Some days, self-care looks like opening your curtains. Other days, it’s dancing to your “main character” playlist while making noodles at midnight.

Learn to romanticise your life in the little ways:

• Turn your study sessions into café-core moments (headphones + lo-fi = magic).
• Journal with colourful pens.
• Take walks and narrate your thoughts like you’re in a movie.

It’s about reminding yourself that your story, even on the slow days, is still worth celebrating.

Rest is productive too

We live in a culture that glorifies being busy. “No sleep, just grind” sounds cool until burnout hits harder than your Monday morning alarm.

Here’s your permission slip: rest isn’t laziness. It’s maintenance.

Try this:

• Take power naps (20 minutes max, or you’ll wake up in another dimension).
• Schedule “nothing” time in your planner.
• Create a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve doom-scrolling TikTok.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you deserve to rest without guilt.

Talk about it. Seriously!

University can feel like a movie where everyone else seems to have it together… but trust me, they don’t.

It’s okay to not be okay. Talk to someone, a friend, a lecturer, or the university’s counselling services (yes, those sessions actually help).

You don’t have to carry the weight of your thoughts alone. Mental health support isn’t just for when you’re “at your lowest”, it’s for staying well, too.

Create healthy study habits that don’t destroy your peace

Here’s a hot take: studying doesn’t have to equal suffering.

Try turning your study time into something sustainable:

• Use the Pomodoro technique - 25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of guilt-free scrolling.
• Study in new places for a fresh vibe (the campus lawn counts).
• Reward yourself — snacks, walks, or episodes of your favourite show.

Balance is key. You’re not a robot, and your brain deserves kindness too.

Digital detox (a little goes a long way)

You don’t have to vanish from the internet, but your mental space deserves boundaries.

Mute notifications that stress you out. Unfollow accounts that make you feel less-than. Curate your feed to things that inspire peace, not pressure.

Remember, social media is a highlight reel, not a reflection of real life.

Find your grounding rituals

Whether it’s journaling, prayer, meditation, gym sessions, or simply breathing deeply before a test, grounding yourself helps you slow down when life speeds up.

Create small rituals that bring you back to you. The goal isn’t to have it all together, but to keep showing up for yourself, even on the days when it’s hard.

You are not your GPA. You are not your productivity. You are a person navigating life, learning, growing, and figuring things out, and that’s beautiful.

So, this Mental Health Awareness Month, remember: your mind deserves the same care you give your ambitions.

Check in with yourself. Take a break. Ask for help.
And most importantly, keep choosing you, every single day.