Taking care of your mental health during school can be difficult, especially while being a music major. I took the time to ask some of my peers, who graduated with music degrees, what their advice was for taking care of your mental wellbeing. Here’s what they said:
Find hobbies that are unrelated to music. This was the most popular answer of all the people that I asked!
I distinctly remember when I was in school thinking “Singing isn’t fun anymore. Why am I doing this?” I started to build resentment toward my prospective career simply because I thought that it should be fun all of the time. Then I realized that singing was no longer just my passion; it was also going to become my job. My career.
Pursuing music as a career, just like any other, means it’s not always going to feel like an escape. When something becomes a job and not just a hobby, it isn’t always fun. Finding other outlets can help you have a work/life balance!
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Eat enough food. Drink enough water. Get enough sleep.
This may sound like a no-brainer, but we musicians tend to have busy schedules. Especially in school. Most of us have class, homework, practice time, performances, and a part time job on top of all of that. Being this busy can cause us to put taking care of our bodies on the backburner. Trust me and all of my peers when we say this: you come first. Nourishing yourself will provide you with the energy you need to tackle all of the things on your to-do list!
Exercise.
Exercising for 30 mins a day will do wonders for your mental health. It’s a great way to release stress, it helps you sleep better, it boosts your mood… the list goes on. There are many forms of exercise you can try, like walking, weight lifting, yoga, running, hiking, etc. Find something that works for you and your schedule.
Form genuine friendships. Find people that you can turn to.
Having meaningful relationships can really help you when you’re struggling. It makes all the difference to have a support system to help you during rough times, and celebrate with you through the good times. Many of my closest friends are people I met during my times as a music major.
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Explore mental health resources offered by your university.
Most universities have free resources available to full and part time students, including therapy, seminars, workshops, group sessions, and more. Be sure to take advantage of these resources available to you! This can also be a great way to find new friends with similar interests.
Remember that you deserve to feel your best while attending college. Making your physical and mental wellbeing will do nothing but benefit your life as a student, and a professional in the future. Hope this helps!
