5 Tips to Avoid Depression in College

Half of college students feel depressed at some point during their time on campus. Learn how to cope.

November 19, 2010 RSS Feed Print

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[Learn why teens are prone to relapses in depression.]

5. Go to sleep: Michael J. Daine, director of CORE Psychological Services and a psychologist with 16 years experience directing college counseling programs, claims that maintaining a fairly regular sleep pattern can ward off depression. In college, many students' sleep patterns are irregular thanks to late-night studying and partying, which is detrimental to their mental health. "Not only is maintaining a regular and sufficient sleep pattern important for avoiding depression, but recent learning research strongly suggests that sleep is key to learning and memory formation—the very reason why students are in school in the first place," he says.

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Tags:: suicide,; depression,; colleges,; health

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Just wanted to write this to help anyone who might be feeling sad and depressed at college. I am now 40 years old but I definitely went through this when I went away to college. From day one, I just didnt feel that excitement or blind school pride that it seemed everyone else was feeling. Most of the other guys on my dorm floor I just really didnt like. I made a few friends the first year but then they all left and I was stuck there alone with no friends for the last 2 years. The school was so far from my home that going home was not an option. I dreaded every day of school and counted the days until it was over. The point is, it will be over eventually. You just have to get through it and concentrate on your studies, that is what you are really there for in the end. I know it sounds easier said than done but you can do it.

Doug of FL 10:47AM April 16, 2013

It's 3AM here and I just got done crying my eyes out because I have an in class essay in a few hours that I'm not ready for and I just found out that I'm failing an extremely expensive class. The only friends that I have never contact me and well, I contemplate suicide a good bit.. but reading this for some reason made me feel alot better. I feel hopeful that things can change. I guess because I read and I was like "Hey! That's me! I do/feel all those things!" I haven't been exercising and I've been avoiding sleep like it's the plague. Its nice to know that I'm not the only one that feels miserable and hopeless. Now I can stop crying and work on my essay prep. :) Thanks Brian Burnsed! lol

Nanners of TN 3:13AM March 27, 2013

I am a college student who too is feeling depressed. Im a sophmore but its my first time at a university. With the pressures and struggles of making new friends, making good grades, and doing my own upkeep it is hard. I dont know what my major is and I dont know if ill even stay at this school. Ive never had a paying job before and I know kids that are working full time and going to school. This makes me feel even worse because Im not working and therefore am not as busy/productive as they are and Im still doing bad at some classes. I feel overwhelmed and I cant just measure up. I know it will all work out somehow but I wish it would sooner then later..

Md of OK 1:44PM October 03, 2012