Students face a variety of challenges in today’s demanding world, which can have a negative impact on their mental health and overall well-being. Academic challenges, societal expectations, and future goals all contribute to increased stress and anxiety. Students have to prioritise their mental health by applying appropriate stress management techniques. The purpose of the article is to give students useful tips on how to preserve their mental health and well-being.

Make self-care a priority
Personal well-being should be a top priority for students who understand the significance of self-care. Self-care includes practices that promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being, such as getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious food, and getting enough exercise on a regular basis. Adequate sleep allows the body and mind to each restore itself after daily exertion and mental strains (Carmichael & Reis, 2005). It is also critical to incorporate leisure activities that provide happiness and calm into one’s routine. Students can efficiently manage with stress and improve their general well-being by prioritizing self-care.

Create a support network
Having a solid support system is essential for sustaining one’s mental health. Making connections with upbeat and supportive people can help you cope with stress and anxiety more efficiently. Students should actively seek out friendships and interactions that build a sense of belonging and empathy. Furthermore, it is beneficial to seek additional direction and
support from resources such as mentors, counsellors, or campus support organisations. Sharing worries and emotions with others not only relieves stress but also provides a fresh perspective on difficult situations. According to Naess et al. (2008) when given room and support, confronting difficult emotions and channeling them constructively can result in empowerment, motivation, and the activation of feelings of joy.

Have meaningful aspirations
Rational desire is essential for students dealing with stress. It is critical to identify specific goals and break them down into tiny, manageable activities. For students, this strategy generates a sense of success and growth, lowering emotions of tension and concern. Having delicate dreams allows students to approach their studies and personal life more balanced. Make use of time management. Students can better plan their time and avoid last-minute cramps by enhancing work prioritisation and organisation. To reduce burnout, teachers, social events, and personal leisure must be strategically placed. Using an effective timer can lead to better productivity and fewer stressful periods.

Create effective coping techniques
Finding appropriate coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety is critical for students’ psychological well-being. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness
practises can all assist to relax the mind and reduce anxiety. Furthermore, expressing feelings through artistic outlets such as writing, painting, or playing the piano might be harmful. Students can better manage stressors and preserve their psychological well-being by learning positive coping techniques. An effective coping strategy is can bring joy and relaxation (Quynh et al., 2020).

When necessary, seek expert assistance
Students may occasionally face issues that necessitate the intervention of a specialist. It is
critical to recognise when more assistance is required and to not be afraid to ask it. Counselling is frequently available at school, and counsellors have been showing a willingness to help in psychological well-being. Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Additionally, promoting awareness among all students about available services is crucial in ensuring that students receive adequate support (Zhang, 2021).

It is critical for students to prioritise stress and anxiety management in order to improve their mental health and overall well-being. Students should be aware that they are vulnerable to psychological disorders in a variety of scenarios, such as exams or a heavy workload of homework. Counselling services and psychoeducational seminars regarding mental health, self-efficacy, and the negative effects of stress on academic achievement are critical in schools. The implementation of these programmes will help students recognise their level of self
efficacy and the positive impact it can have on their academic achievement. Students can efficiently control their academic stress while enjoying a positive educational journey towards reaching their goals by taking proactive actions. (Ruiz-Robledillo et al., 2022)

References
Carmichael, C. L., & Reis, H. T. (2005). Attachment, sleep quality, and depressed affect. Health Psychology, 24(5), 526.

Naess, A., & Haukeland, P. I. (2008). Life’s philosophy: Reason and feeling in a deeper world. University of Georgia Press.

Quynh, H. H. N., Tanasugarn, C., Kengganpanich, M., Lapvongwatana, P., Long, K. Q., & Truc, T. T. (2020). Mental well-being, and coping strategies during stress for preclinical medical students in Vietnam. Journal of Population and Social Studies [JPSS], 28(2), 116-129

Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Vela-Bermejo, J., Clement-Carbonell, V., Ferrer-Cascales, R., Alcocer Bruno, C., & Albaladejo-Blázquez, N. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on academic stress and perceived classroom climate in Spanish university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 4398.

Zhang, W. (2021). Management and Plan of Undergraduates’ Mental Health Based on Keyword Extraction. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2021, 1-9.

Written by YANG QAMMARINA BINTI MOHD TOHA

She is currently a tutorial teacher at Tuisyen Celik Jaya, and a PhD candidate at University Malaysia Terengganu.