As we spring into summer, students are faced with one last academic mountain to climb: finals. And with that climb comes intense stress, which can sometimes manifest into much more.
This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re looking at how students navigate this pressure and why prioritizing their mental well-being is crucial.
For many, like our fellow COC student Rylie Acuna, the end-of-semester crunch takes a significant toll.
“You think about your test while you’re brushing your teeth, you think about your test on the way to school, and the walk to the class. It does give me anxiety, but I’ve learned a lot of ways to handle it,” says Acuna.
Rylie’s experience resonates across campus. In fact, academic stress is widespread, with 24.4% of students reporting moderate to high anxiety.”
So, what support is available for students feeling this strain?
On both the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses is the Health & Wellness Center, with clinical therapists such as Priscilla Benites, who are available for all students.
“As we near the end of the semester and finals, I find that a lot of students are experiencing anxiety,” says Benites. “A lot of students are also experiencing depression, stress, burnout. We provide six sessions per semester to students who are enrolled in a one-unit course.”
The Wellness Center provides resources from one-on-one counseling to stress management workshops.
While these campus resources are necessary, recognizing the need for support and taking that first step can still be a real hurdle for many students.
“It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to talk about mental illness,” says Benites.
“I think getting your feelings out there and telling them what you’re going through and how they can relate to you, or if they’re going through something too, it just makes you feel like you’re not alone,” says Acuna.
As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, remember that prioritizing your well-being is key. Support is available.
