As a college student, your mental health will be tested beyond measure. College is a new environment you are unfamiliar with, and amid this, you are expected to cope with the numerous educational activities and the new ways of learning.

It is not unusual for students who were brilliant in high school to fail some courses as college students. This, however, can be devastating and demoralizing.

College is a place where you first truly experience the world outside the comfort and protection of your parents.

Building a mental fortress is vital to cope with campus stress and its surprises. A strong mental fortress is the hidden secret of exceptional students.

What is a mental fortress?

A mental fortress is a metaphor for a strong, resilient, and well-guarded mindset. It is typically built on past experiences and may act as the default processor for actions such as responses to negative thoughts and emotions.

A mental fortress can help you build an unwavering trust in yourself and teach you how to recover from any failure or disappointment. It is well leveraged by top athletes during tough games and career obstacles.

Basketball legend, Michael Jordan, emphasizing the importance of consistency in diligent efforts to become a better player, said, “The minute you get away from fundamentals—whether it’s proper technique, work ethic, or mental preparation—the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.”

How mental health affects students’ performance

A college student’s mental health can significantly affect their energy level, concentration, and optimism toward educational activities.

Different factors can affect mental health, including academic stress, campus vibes such as discrimination, childhood trauma, and culture shock.

Similarly, family issues such as parents’ divorce can disrupt a student’s mental state and may jeopardize their chance of getting a quality education, especially if their parents do not have a prenuptial agreement.

According to a prenuptial agreement attorney in Phoenix, a prenuptial agreement can protect children’s inheritance in case a parent decides to remarry. It can also address issues that may impact the children, such as how they will be educated and how much will be contributed to their college funds.

A mental fortress can help strengthen your defense against factors that can cause poor mental health. You can picture it as an immune system for the mind, helping you in times of difficulties and duress.

Harnessing the key components of mental fortresses for academic excellence

Fortresses are strong buildings designed to withstand massive enemy attacks. Building a mental fortress requires you to establish an efficient self-regulating internal control system connecting your internal and external awareness to support the healthiest and best version of yourself as you navigate college and other life challenges.

To do this, it is essential to understand the components of mental fortress and how to harness them for mental toughness.

Some of the key components of a mental fortress include:

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is your understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Self-aware students are more confident in their academic ability and usually more creative.

There are two major categories of self-awareness. The first category, internal self-awareness, represents how you perceive your values, behaviors, and emotions. Healthy internal self-awareness has been linked to relationship satisfaction and happiness, which can improve your academic performance.

The second category, external self-awareness, is your perception of how other people view your behaviors and reactions to events in your environment.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to manage your emotions and, at the same time, understand the emotions of other people around you to react judiciously and empathetically.

A study conducted with undergraduate and postgraduate students found that emotional intelligence was positively related to academic achievement, especially in postgraduate students.

Healthy habits

A healthy lifestyle can improve your overall health, which invariably enhances the optimal functioning of the brain. For instance, healthy eating habits have been shown to positively influence academic performance.

Some healthy habits that can improve your academic performance include:

• Regular exercise such as morning stretch
• Drinking plenty of water
• Breakfast
• Napping
• Enjoying a hobby
• Quit smoking
• Social interaction

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the awareness and non-judgmental acceptance of one’s internal states and surroundings. It is being present in the moment.

This mental fortress component has been researched to be a potentially effective antidote against common forms of psychological distress like fear and worry. Higher trait mindfulness can promote good academic achievement.

Social support

Interpersonal relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and other community members can provide emotional support, attitude transmission, and timely sharing of information, which can be important for academic success.

Students with higher social support typically outperform others in their academic achievement.