By Cayla Soriano
cjs318@txstate.edu
SAN MARCOS – As students begin to approach the end of the semester, stress levels are higher than normal. When Emilio Mejia started attending college, he was aware that college would at times be stressful. Even entering college with this fact in mind, It still took him some time to get adjusted with the different levels of tension he would experience.
When Mejia was going through the struggles of trying to find his place in the academic world, he continued on to explore different avenues to see what worked best for his journey. Mejia managed his stress by looking at the bigger picture of what he wanted out of the college experience and remembered what his goals for the future were. The feeling of stress was only temporary and everything he was working for would soon showcase itself.
“I find that sacrifice is probably the ultimate thing, as cliche as that might sound,” Mejia said. “You’re going to have to spend time doing things that you necessarily don’t want to do but have to do in order to advance in your schooling. It will all be worth it in the long run.” Mejia keeps these thoughts in the back of his mind when encountering tough situations that leave him feeling, at times, defeated.
According to the American College Health Association, most students mental health has worsened since starting college. 9 in 10 students have said that when encountering academic hardships, this has affected their mental health. When reaching the middle of the semester, students tend to face “mid-semester burnouts.” This means that the motivation to continue pushing through the schoolwork decreases as students become mentally exhausted.
Texas State University provides resources to help their students with the battle of mental health. The Student Health Center is one of the easy to access resources that Texas State provides and encourages their students to take advantage of. The Student Health Center is an on campus healthcare clinic that provides services such as free counseling, health coaching, self-care resources and more.
Texas State also provides student services when the student isn’t on campus through breaks such as summer or holidays through the TimelyCare app. The TimelyCare app provides counseling services to whenever a student needs help with their mental health. “Your help doesn’t take a break – Neither does TimelyCare.” This is a motto that the TimelyCare app uses to encourage the TXST students to continue counseling virtually if they ever find themselves in need of it.
Rosie Alier, an ex Texas State administrative assistant, promotes the Student Health Center and recalled a time where a few students used this resource to help their mental struggles with PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “I knew a couple of students who struggled with PTSD, because they served in the military, and some of the stressors that came with the classes or expectations did a lot overwhelming them in many different ways,” Alier said. “They were recommended to go see someone at the Student Health Center, and they did seek help there. The counselors helped the students and provided them with other outside resources where it was either low or no-cost to the student.”
The poster of the counseling center where students can go to if they need mental help assistance. You can scan these QR codes for more information. 
Students walking at the Texas State University campus. Captured during the last week of the semester. 
A Birdseye view of the TXST campus near LBJ. Students are attending their classes while programs are setting up tents. 
Emilio Mejia, TXST senior, at his desk. Mejia is writing down notes for a test that he is studying for. 
Texas State students walking in the quad. This is where most of the clubs, programs, etc. set up their tents to bring awareness to the students passing by. 
Cayla Soriano, a TXST student and journalist that has posted at a nearby cafe to focus on her studies while eating breakfast. 
Students gather at the TXST Alkek Library to visit with each other. This is where students have access to resources such as electronics, books and more. 
A small part of the Texas State University campus. You can see a proud TXST NEXT banner on the side of a lamppost. 
TXST students studying at the Alkek Library. This is a quiet place where students can pick up some breakfast at the starbucks in the building and work on their schoolwork. 
Natalie Guzman, a student that has gotten together with another student to have a study date at a cafe. These meetings help students encourage each other to work on their studies.
Some other ways of achieving good mental help is to start implementing healthy habits in your everyday life. A good way to start is by setting attainable goals for yourself. If you set goals for yourself and practice to reach them, you will build motivation in not only your personal life but your studies. Another way is to start eating healthier and exercising. Student life is busy in itself, but a little goes a long way with this point. If you go outside or go to the gym and walk/run on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes a day, this will boost health and improve your mood.
Some other ways of achieving good mental help is to start implementing healthy habits in your everyday life. A good way to start is by setting attainable goals for yourself. If you set goals for yourself and practice to reach them, you will build motivation in not only your personal life but your studies. Another way is to start eating healthier and exercising. Student life is busy in itself, but a little goes a long way with this point. If you go outside or go to the gym and walk/run on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes a day, this will boost health and improve your mood.
If you are at all feeling overwhelmed while attending school, keep in mind that there are resources here to help you navigate through the stressful periods in your life. If you are wanting to visit the Texas State Student Health center, the building is located at 298 Student Center drive. The services will be applicable to you on and off seasons throughout the year. As the fall semester comes to a close, good luck on your finals, and enjoy your holiday break.
