Choose Happiness Over Grades

You look at your list of things to do, and immediately think about where, how, and when to start. You know you should start now, but that quiet, repetitive voice in your head gets the better of you; the one saying, “Don’t bother, you’ll probably get it wrong,” or “Start later, you’re not up for it now.”

That voice gets progressively louder, slowing your momentum. You put the list away and sit there. You feel stressed and numb, knowing there’s not much you can do.

I’ve been in this situation many times. At school and university, I was taught various learning techniques, but never how to escape the dark pit of mental health. This is something we must address.

There is a stigma around discussing mental health. You’re labeled as an attention seeker, weak, or a ‘loose cannon.’ This is one reason why many young people suffer in silence. Yet, one-fifth of adolescents face mental health issues.

Everyone with mental health challenges perceives things differently, and there’s plenty of advice that might pass through one ear and out the other. However, I hope some of the techniques that have helped me might resonate with you:

• Treat yourself like your own friend. Imagine if a friend or loved one felt the way you do; how would you help them? What advice would you give? Mental health issues make you feel insignificant, but in reality, you are not.

• Talk to someone. It sounds cliché, but this is so important. Don’t disregard your feelings. It’s a relief to express them. Do not feel ashamed to open a door you didn’t choose to close. You matter.

• Get into a routine. When you’re ready, make a schedule of what you want to do and when. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t stick to it all the time. Just making a plan is a huge step. It shows how a disorder takes over your being and helps you recognize your potential.

I understand that all of this is easier said than done, but remember, we didn’t choose to feel like this. It’s often seen as something you can just snap out of, which is not true. Young people today face the disadvantage of growing up in the digital age, where you constantly compare yourself to others online.

This is exacerbated by the pressures of educational and social systems that push you to get excellent grades, implying you won’t have a career without them. We often don’t recognize how toxic this is because we’ve been conditioned to believe it’s this way or no way.

Your mental health is more important than any of this. How you feel and perceive yourself and your surroundings is crucial and will take you much further than any grade ever could. Focus on yourself, remember you’re important, and know you are never alone.

Explore ways to improve your mental health and find support in Vinspired’s community.

Read more about how to improve your mental health and discover personal stories like how I improved my mental health.

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