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How do I balance school work and mental health?
Teachers keep on assigning work and I feel like Im slowly falling more behind. I have a few diagnosed mental health issues and Im fighting for my life in normal classes.
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4 answers
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Von,
First off, I just want to say—I hear you. Balancing schoolwork and mental health is really hard, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s completely valid to struggle when the workload keeps piling up, especially when you're already dealing with mental health challenges. But you don’t have to do it all alone, and there are ways to make things more manageable.
1. Prioritize and Break Things Down: Looking at everything all at once can be overwhelming. Try breaking assignments into smaller steps and focus on one thing at a time. Make a simple to-do list, but don’t overload it—just pick the most urgent or manageable tasks first.
2. Communicate with Your Teachers: I know this can be nerve-wracking, but if you haven’t already, reach out to your teachers or a school counselor. You don’t have to give every detail, but letting them know you’re struggling might help. Many teachers will offer extensions or adjustments if they know what’s going on.
3. Set Boundaries with Schoolwork: You don’t have to be “productive” every second of the day. Set realistic study hours, then step away when time’s up. Your mental health matters more than finishing every single assignment perfectly.
4. Take Care of Yourself (Even in Small Ways): When you’re feeling drained, even small acts of self-care can help—whether it’s listening to music, stepping outside for fresh air, doodling, or just taking deep breaths. Sleep, food, and movement make a huge difference too, even if it’s just stretching for a few minutes.
5. Find Support: You don’t have to do this alone. If you have a friend, family member, therapist, or even an online support group, lean on them. Sometimes just venting or hearing “I get it” from someone can help lighten the load.
6. Remind Yourself You Are Doing Enough: It’s easy to feel like you’re "falling behind," but you are doing your best with what you have right now, and that is enough. Progress isn’t always about keeping up with deadlines—it’s also about taking care of yourself so you can keep going.
I’m rooting for you, and I hope you can give yourself some grace. You are not failing—you are fighting, and that takes strength.
Take care, and be kind to yourself.
Best wishes!
First off, I just want to say—I hear you. Balancing schoolwork and mental health is really hard, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s completely valid to struggle when the workload keeps piling up, especially when you're already dealing with mental health challenges. But you don’t have to do it all alone, and there are ways to make things more manageable.
1. Prioritize and Break Things Down: Looking at everything all at once can be overwhelming. Try breaking assignments into smaller steps and focus on one thing at a time. Make a simple to-do list, but don’t overload it—just pick the most urgent or manageable tasks first.
2. Communicate with Your Teachers: I know this can be nerve-wracking, but if you haven’t already, reach out to your teachers or a school counselor. You don’t have to give every detail, but letting them know you’re struggling might help. Many teachers will offer extensions or adjustments if they know what’s going on.
3. Set Boundaries with Schoolwork: You don’t have to be “productive” every second of the day. Set realistic study hours, then step away when time’s up. Your mental health matters more than finishing every single assignment perfectly.
4. Take Care of Yourself (Even in Small Ways): When you’re feeling drained, even small acts of self-care can help—whether it’s listening to music, stepping outside for fresh air, doodling, or just taking deep breaths. Sleep, food, and movement make a huge difference too, even if it’s just stretching for a few minutes.
5. Find Support: You don’t have to do this alone. If you have a friend, family member, therapist, or even an online support group, lean on them. Sometimes just venting or hearing “I get it” from someone can help lighten the load.
6. Remind Yourself You Are Doing Enough: It’s easy to feel like you’re "falling behind," but you are doing your best with what you have right now, and that is enough. Progress isn’t always about keeping up with deadlines—it’s also about taking care of yourself so you can keep going.
I’m rooting for you, and I hope you can give yourself some grace. You are not failing—you are fighting, and that takes strength.
Take care, and be kind to yourself.
Best wishes!
Updated
Claire’s Answer
Hey Von!
I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling. You are definitely not alone. I really appreciate that you are reaching out for advice on this platform. All of the advice given above are great things to consider. My first piece of advice is to talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling (family member, friend, therapist, teacher, etc). This will help you express your concerns. Secondly, I encourage you to talk to your teachers so they can help you with your homework. Thirdly, I encourage you to engage in leisure activities that you enjoy (examples: exercise, biking, drawing, listening to music). Leisure activities can help you process and express any stress or anxiety you might be feeling.
Hope this advice helps & feel free to reach out if you need anything else! If you need additional help there are plenty of online therapy resources you can talk to your family/guardians about. Here are a few:
- Grow therapy: https://www.growtherapy.com
- BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
- Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com
I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling. You are definitely not alone. I really appreciate that you are reaching out for advice on this platform. All of the advice given above are great things to consider. My first piece of advice is to talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling (family member, friend, therapist, teacher, etc). This will help you express your concerns. Secondly, I encourage you to talk to your teachers so they can help you with your homework. Thirdly, I encourage you to engage in leisure activities that you enjoy (examples: exercise, biking, drawing, listening to music). Leisure activities can help you process and express any stress or anxiety you might be feeling.
Hope this advice helps & feel free to reach out if you need anything else! If you need additional help there are plenty of online therapy resources you can talk to your family/guardians about. Here are a few:
- Grow therapy: https://www.growtherapy.com
- BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
- Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
144
Answers
Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Teachers keep on assigning work (Thats Their Job) and I feel (Feel? Why Feel?) like I'm slowly falling behind (Are You Or Aren't You Falling Behind?). I have a few diagnosed mental health issues and I'm fighting for my life in normal classes (Diagnosed mental health issues?)
If that is the case, then why even use it in this question? We are not medical professionals and today there are a wide range of issues affecting the tried-and-true study practice of today's students. Is the term More Behind meaning you are already behind?
Allow me to be candid young Von.
There are a million reasons not to be successful and we all have felt as you do now. Thats your growing, that's your challenge, and yes it will feel crummy as each added responsibility will cause you to think of doom and gloom. And you will fail if you believe you will fail.
But check this out, if you believe you can beat this doubt and uncertainty, you will surely beat this doubt and uncertainty. You will move forward and if by chance after all this, you fail, it won't actually be a fail, it will be a fall! Not a fall backwards, but a fall forward. Change your thinking for you are not alone and so many have reached the stars with all types of problems.They always fall forward! Gods speed! You got this!
If that is the case, then why even use it in this question? We are not medical professionals and today there are a wide range of issues affecting the tried-and-true study practice of today's students. Is the term More Behind meaning you are already behind?
Allow me to be candid young Von.
There are a million reasons not to be successful and we all have felt as you do now. Thats your growing, that's your challenge, and yes it will feel crummy as each added responsibility will cause you to think of doom and gloom. And you will fail if you believe you will fail.
But check this out, if you believe you can beat this doubt and uncertainty, you will surely beat this doubt and uncertainty. You will move forward and if by chance after all this, you fail, it won't actually be a fail, it will be a fall! Not a fall backwards, but a fall forward. Change your thinking for you are not alone and so many have reached the stars with all types of problems.They always fall forward! Gods speed! You got this!
Kazi Rubayee
Oriental medicine health professional, Acupuncturist, Holistic health practitioner
53
Answers
Updated
Kazi’s Answer
So sorry to see you feel this way. Surely, keeping up with schoolwork and struggling with mental health can be overwhelming. But it is a good thing you came out and asked for help, I appreciate your courage and honesty.
Well, let's dig in for the solution that can help you in this matter, here are my suggestions. as a holistic health practitioner,
• Be kind to yourself, you are already doing a lot to accomplish. Don’t criticize yourself.
• Take care of your health and well-being by doing mindfulness breathing, to slow down the pace and increase self-awareness, focus, and concentration. Stress affects physically and mentally,
• Gratitude is more than saying thank you but boosts your positive emotion
• Set boundaries. Which will protect time and energy and help with respectful relationships
• Build a support network that helps in connection
• Take negative thoughts and reframe them in a positive way
• Break your tasks into small and prioritize them
Remember that You are in control of yourself, tell yourself “I can do this”
All the best,
Well, let's dig in for the solution that can help you in this matter, here are my suggestions. as a holistic health practitioner,
• Be kind to yourself, you are already doing a lot to accomplish. Don’t criticize yourself.
• Take care of your health and well-being by doing mindfulness breathing, to slow down the pace and increase self-awareness, focus, and concentration. Stress affects physically and mentally,
• Gratitude is more than saying thank you but boosts your positive emotion
• Set boundaries. Which will protect time and energy and help with respectful relationships
• Build a support network that helps in connection
• Take negative thoughts and reframe them in a positive way
• Break your tasks into small and prioritize them
Remember that You are in control of yourself, tell yourself “I can do this”
All the best,