If you’re currently at college, University or working on your education with short courses online, you probably won’t need to be told that studying can be stressful. With all those pressures on you, it’s natural for it to impact you and your mental health, and according to a 2017 Headspace study, 70% of Australian students said theirs was either fair or poor.
Should I Concentrate On Mental Health Or On School?
The answer to that question is easy, as nothing is as important as your mental health. School coursework and online studying are essential too, but they pale in comparison to taking care of yourself and your state of mind. There’s no point doing all that work if you’re not going to be well enough at the end of your tafe online courses to enjoy your success.
How To Study While Also Taking Care Of My Health?
Maintaining your mental health when taking short courses online or at school on a long-term basis is all about creating the right conditions for success. So, come with us now as we look at the steps you can take to ensure you stay happy and healthy as you learn.
- Method #1 - Get Regular Exercise: When you exercise, not only does it make you fitter, but it also releases ‘feel good' hormones called endorphins and serotonin. These natural chemicals improve mood and overall sense of well-being and, when enjoyed on a regular basis, helps to keep you balanced and happy. It doesn’t have to be super-strenuous - just enough to get your blood pumping.
- Method #2 - Get Organised: Organisation is one of those interpersonal skills that can take time to develop, but if you’re able to master it, it will help your mental state no end. For example, having a calendar with all your essential exam dates on it will ensure that nothing stressful happens to you, such as a last-minute bit of coursework that you’d forgotten about.
- Method #3 - Eat Healthily: There’s a strong link between a good diet and good mental health, mainly due to the nutrients and minerals it provides for good cognitive function. When engaging in online studying over a long period, it can be easy to opt for unhealthy convenience food. So make sure you surround yourself with healthy snacks to avoid temptation.
- Method #4 - Early to Bed, Early to Rising: There’s nothing more likely to put a strain on your mental well-being than lack of sleep. When taking short courses at college, it can be easy to put socialising first and sacrifice your rest, but it will catch up with you eventually. Always aim for 8 hours of good sleep, and you’ll have the energy to do what’s necessary without affecting how you feel.
- Method 5 - If You’re Struggling, Talk to Someone: A problem shared is a problem halved. What’s meant by that? It means no one should struggle with problems alone, so if you struggle to cope, talk to someone. It could be a friend or family member; whatever works - just don’t suffer.
There’s plenty of support if you don’t have anyone close, and access is free. Here are just a few helpful resources to assist any student needing mental health support:
By Phone:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Online:
OCA Video-Based Short Courses: The Stress-Free Way To Learn
Mental health is so important, but it’s often neglected, so make sure you do your best to support yourself and always reach out if you need to. However, if you’re looking for a stress-free way to learn new professional skills, there’s no better choice than video-based, CPD-accredited short courses.
Offering an intuitive learning experience, our courses are affordable and can be paid for using one of a selection of flexible payment options. To find out more about this or to see the full range of courses that cover more than 20 industries, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au, where you’ll also see that our training comes with one-to-one mentoring, 7 days a week.
Alternatively, if you’d like to see what learning with us is like first-hand, take a glance at our Student Study Demo or give us a call on 1300 611 404 if you need to speak to us directly about your needs. Learn more about OCA or Online University Courses Australia today!
