Being away from home, in a new learning environment and social environment, there will be different situations that affect the mental health of international students. It is important to note that mental health is not taken seriously or even really discussed in many international students' home countries or hometowns. Some students may be ridiculed as "weak" if they bring up mental health issues or want to go through some counseling.
However, when studying at prestigious overseas universities such as the United States and the United Kingdom, international students may encounter more psychological problems. Some international students say that academic pressure, adapting to a new culture and environment, and even living alone for the first time have taken a toll on their mental health.
Against this backdrop, international students need to recognize the importance of mental health and adopt a positive approach to improving mental health. The next thing I want to introduce is 7 ways for international students to focus on mental health, hoping to help more international students.
7 Ways!Cultivating healthy growth in mental health
There are 7 ways for international students to focus on and take care of their mental health at prestigious overseas universities, including: responding to school outreach activitiesJoin social clubs and groups;Engage in volunteering and community service;Consider meditation or prayer;Explore consulting services;Go outside;Understand what works.
It is important to respond to the school's outreach activities, as it allows international students to successfully connect socially. The school shares a lot of resources via email, and international students need to read these resources regularly. In addition to academic programs, the school uses a variety of resources to help international students connect with other students, events, and more.
In addition, some experts say that students should consider joining groups related to their major, interests or hobbies, culture, and language to minimize their sense of isolation. Students may even consider forming their own new group, if possible. Volunteering and community service is a great opportunity for international students to create a positive feeling of giving back and to meet people who share similar interests.
Of course, there are many schools that have meditation rooms reserved for students to help them reduce stress and improve their sense of well-being. And by exploring counseling services, you can learn more about mental health and meet the unique needs of international students. Being outdoors means that international students are able to explore the local area and let nature do the psychological**.
In addition, international students need to understand what are effective strategies for truly improving mental health. Early in the study abroad, students can consider trying new strategies and finding what works for them in a new environment. The method varies from person to person, whether it is physical activity, cooking, traveling, reading, etc., as long as you can maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, it is a good and effective method.
The importance of mental health
The environment faced by international students has changed dramatically, including language and cultural differences, changes in the education system, distance from home, and the rebuilding of social networks. These factors can be stressful for their mental health. Maintaining mental health for international students is vital and touches many faces.
For example, students with good mental health are more likely to concentrate on their studies and achieve better academic results. And good mental health helps international students build and maintain social relationships and adapt to their new environment more quickly. It's important to note that psychological stress and anxiety can affect physical health, and maintaining mental health can reduce this effect.
In addition, a person's mental health has a direct impact on the quality of life, and happiness and satisfaction can enhance the life experience. At the same time, the experience of studying abroad itself is a process of self-development and growth, and mental health helps international students better understand themselves and form independence and self-confidence.
Of course, different negative psychological emotions also have their own value. The Yerkes-Dodson Law tells us that the right level of anxiety helps us perform better and achieve our best results. Therefore, it is crucial for international students to learn to face up to psychological problems and relieve stress.
Write at the end:
Mental health needs to be taken seriously!International students should pursue advantages and avoid disadvantages at the psychological level, and cultivate a healthier and beneficial way of thinking and living habits. Of course, it is not easy to adjust the mentality, and the most direct way is to start by changing the behavior and starting from now. I hope that every international student can have a healthy mental state and actively meet all challenges and opportunities.