Thousands of college students in the US have returned to campuses in the past few weeks. Some of those students are having their first real taste of college life, whether because they’re first year students or because their previous years were affected by COVID-19.
I spent a decade working with college students prior to pursuing a career in counseling, and I continue to work with some college students and young adults as a mental health counselor. I was recently invited to share some self-care tips for college students with UpJourney. The following is a bit of what I wrote:
“College offers lots of opportunities, from taking a class on the folklore of the area to exploring new cultures as you get to know your peers to playing ultimate frisbee on the lawn.
Find the people and activities that bring you joy and help you feel alive. Attend the organizational fair (usually held at the beginning of each semester, with a larger one in the fall).
Get information about anything that sounds interesting, and go to their welcoming events.
At a minimum, you’ll likely get some free food and/or swag, or maybe a comical story to tell later. At best, you may meet some lifelong friends and find a passion that helps you through the hard days of life.”
You can follow this link to see some other tips for for self-care as a college student.
**Note: As of May 2026, the original article has been updated and now consolidates the tips from a variety of experts into one article, no longer including my original excerpt.**
Michelle F. Moseley (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC (#12491). She believes ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and access to mental and physical healthcare. Michelle specializes in working with survivors of religious trauma, and with those who have body image concerns, finding there is frequent overlap in these areas. She also frequently supports late-identified neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the grief and relief of a new understanding of self. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website at MichelleFMoseley.com or following her on Instagram – @therapy_with_michelle
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