In college, sometimes there are days where one would like nothing more than to quit everything, throw in the towel, say “F it” to getting an education.

I had one of those days this Monday.

I didn’t do my assignments for the day. I didn’t want to be in any of my classes.

I was stressed out and it was only Monday. How does this happen? My weekend wasn’t long enough.

I worked all day Friday and Saturday. I also had a co-worker’s going away party Saturday evening.

This resulted in me waking up on the wrong side of the bed Monday morning.

After my bad day I decided I didn’t want to turn it into a bad week – so I took a mental health day. I didn’t have any meetings or classes on Tuesday for the first time since school started. I decided it was the perfect day.

I slept in until 9 a.m., working out, hanging out and getting lunch with my best friend.

I watched one of my favorite movies, had a glass of wine, painted my nails and ended the day with a face mask – and more wine.

It’s possible that one could see this as a day wasted.

I am an adult with responsibilities so why am I blowing them off to do nothing productive? It’s simple. I care about my mental health and I care about approaching the day with my best foot forward.

When I am not at my best, I am less attentive to my education.

Taking a mental health day helps me be more present and pleasant when it comes to my day to day life.

Mental health days are becoming more and more popular this day in age.

College students these days often have a collection of financial stress, housing stress, general life stress, school stress, food access stress and time management stress. These stressors are basic needs stressors and they are scary to deal with on a day-to day-basis.

Luckily, my professors and bosses aren’t surprised when confronted with the idea of me needing to take a mental health day.

Every professor/faculty or staff member at Washburn that I have spoken with in reference to my mental health has always been supportive.

They are always telling me to remember to take care of myself. They want to know if there is anything they can help with to let them know.

I can confidently say that if I had to have an emergency mental health day, I think they would be open to allowing me to take that time. They would also connect me with any resources I may need, and for that I am thankful.

I am lucky because I have an on-campus job which allows me to be semi-flexible in my schedule.

I know not everyone is going to have that, and for those people I say “it can’t hurt to ask.”

If you are feeling overwhelmed, and you can’t deal with everything going on in your life right now then you need to take the time you need to feel better.

Whether that be a mental health day or a therapy session. It takes time to get back to your best self.

One shouldn’t feel bad for putting their mental health first. We shouldn’t hesitate to make ourselves better. Your mental health is important – you are important.

So, take a mental health day if you need one. You won’t regret it. That’s the tea…from me to WU.

Resources:

Washburn University Counseling Services: Kuehne Hall Suite 200, (785) 670-3100

Counseling Hotline: (785) 670-3100; option 2

Edited by Adam White, Wesley Tabor, Jason Morrison