Kyana Townes

Penn State Student Sahrees Cole utilitizes journaling as a tool for whenever he is overwhelmed. Cole stated “Since I’ve been to college, I’ve experienced a few instances where I was heavily overwhelmed or felt alone, I wanted to prevent me from have those thoughts and being filled will negativity, so I began to journal.”

Studies of college students suggest mental health issues are common on campus and that students have moments where they feel as though they will be judged, cannot speak freely, and are feeling alone. 

What students do not know is that there is a tool they have access to, and this will provide them with the ability to freely express themselves without any worries, and that tool is journaling. Huijiao Xu, Licensed Professional Counselor and Global Mental Health Wellness Advocate at Pennsylvania State University Abington campus stated “Journaling is a way for people to gain more awareness of what is going on and finding a pattern of what is going on, also how they’re feeling and come up with an alternative way of dealing with the situation they are in differently so they can have better or different outcome.”

Students do not always have the opportunity to see a therapist, receive a prescription, or talk to people when you need to get rid of your worries, but almost anyone can journal. This tool can serve as an outlet at any place and time without expenses, and most importantly in a safe space. Journaling allows students to clear their minds and truly reveal their emotions without spending a dime for anything other than a pencil and piece of paper.

Sources from Grand Canyon University reported that students “can write in your journal to give your mind a break from academics, but at the same time, journaling will benefit your cognitive abilities. One study found that journaling can benefit a person’s working memory. Another discovered that the physical act of writing on paper (instead of on a laptop) prompts more brain activity and better memory recall, likely due to journaling’s unique reliance on the combination of complex, tactile and spatial information.”

A tool like journaling allows students to start toward a goal and continue to work towards it. The journal does not limit students to only address their worries but also express goals, practice communication and improve self-appreciation. 

Online minimal journaling app Reflection stated, “Studies have also shown that journaling can reduce the frequency of intrusive, depressive thoughts, help college students who are vulnerable to depression, and reduce overall levels of depression in those diagnosed with a Major Depressive Disorder. There are also benefits of journaling for anxiety symptoms.”

I personally have used journaling in college to help me express my emotions and struggles that I experienced with adapting to my unfamiliar environment and new responsibilities that I am now faced with as a college student.  

After utilizing this technique, I realized how easy it was to use this technique for the personal struggles I am experiencing while in college. I believe more students should try this technique to see how impactful simple things can be to their lives and help them express themselves in college. 

For Cole, the journaling “outlet was a suggestion from a friend something that I now put forth in my everyday life as I’m navigating college life and maintaining mental stability. Journaling is definitely something I would recommend to more college students.”