Student Special: Staying On Top Of It

As you've no doubt heard on countless occasions, college is a time of huge change in your personal and professional life. What's talked about less is the impact it can have on your mind and body. Late nights at the books mixed with early morning schedules and a barrage of evenings out can take a toll.
Here are some tips for staying in decent nick.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO EAT
Chicken fillet rolls, pizza, panini and even a burrito can be tempting and often cheap, but for the sake of your system when it comes to fuelling up, think pasta, tuna, bananas, fruit... even a salad if you can stomach it!

THE DRINKING GAME
As a fresher you'll be plagued with flyers for student nights out. It's important not to go overboard. If you don't want to drink, you don't have to – but if you do, know your limits. Be very wary of drinks deals and take on as much water as you can! You'll be glad you did come morning.

THE (OTHER) BLACK STUFF
It's really easy to get carried away with coffee in college. It's great for cramming sessions and perking up before a 9am lecture. However, drinking it to excess can be damaging. For each buzz, there's an inevitable crash. Over consumption (we're talking pots-full) will lead to stomach trouble. A moderate amount is beneficial, just don't go overboard. If you truly need a caffeine fix, try green tea.

ANXIETY
Anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction to new situations and you can expect an increased amount in the first couple of weeks at college. However, anxiety disorders are a different story and can be debilitating. Social anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, phobias and panic disorders are just some examples: symptoms include insomnia, panic attacks, heart palpitations, nausea and dizziness. If in doubt, visit your campus GP.

DON'T BURNOUT!
“Burnout” isn't just a term thrown about around exam time. It's a psychological state of exhaustion, detachment and irritability associated with taking on too much work. Signs of burnout include insomnia, fatigue, depression, anger and apathy. It's easy to avoid; take downtime seriously, spread your workload and make sure to de-stress when up against it!

WINDING DOWN
Chilling out is paramount if balancing a hectic schedule. When it all gets a bit much, knowing how to wind down is what it's all about. You've heard about meditating, you may even have tried it – or you may think it's a silly idea propagated by trendy people in hippy communes. Give it a go – sometimes it's good to completely detach. If you're new to the game or can't find a quiet place, try a meditation app – calm.com does the trick using ambient sounds on preset times.

EAR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
As earphones, earbuds and headphones get better and louder, you're more likely to cause damage by turning up the volume (regardless of how bangin' the tunes are). Likewise, if you're at a lot of gigs, it isn't great to park in front of the speakers too long. If you're in a band, or just being extra vigilant, buy earplugs – at the very least they'll come in handy when someone's munching through a pipe of Pringles in the library.

KEEPING ACTIVE
Staying active through college is vital. Most colleges have deals on gym memberships and some are free – most offer TRX, yoga, boxersize and spinning classes, too. For a more casual workout, join a team, play 5-a-side soccer, sign up for tag rugby, buy a skipping rope, get the bike out or join the walking society – it all helps!

DEPRESSION
Depression affects around 300,000 Irish people. College can be rough and feeling down will be part of that. Clinical depression is more serious: it manifests in the form of apathy, weight fluctuation, loss of concentration, feelings of worthlessness and suicidality. One in four women will suffer depression at some time, while 1 in 10 men will be diagnosed with the condition. Men, less likely to speak about depression, are more likely to commit suicide. If concerned, speaking to somebody as soon as possible can makes a difference.

WHO TO TALK TO
Knowing where to turn for any problem can be half the battle. The Samaritans line (116 123) is open 24/7. Aware (1890 303 302) specialise in helping people affected by depression, bipolar disorder or suicidal thoughts, while Niteline (1800 793 793) is a student-specific alternative. Talking is important, but if you're still not sure who to call, check out Spunout.ie, where you'll find information and contact details for hundreds of support organisations dealing with everything from health, exams, STIs and drug abuse to bullying and depression.