Finding a creative outlet can help reduce stress, strengthen community and promote mental health without demanding too much of your schedule. Arts engagement on campus is an important way not only to build connections but also to take care of ourselves, and you should get involved!
It can be hard to find a work-life balance as we manage school, jobs, sports, clubs, friends and all the other commitments that keep us busy. Especially as the semester wraps up and finals approach, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed — there are so many demands for attention. And even when we relax, it’s often with more screens, which can be another drain on our energy. Studies have shown that scrolling can increase fatigue and worsen mental health, with the high level of stimulation leading to cognitive strain that reduces attentional and memory capacity, not to mention the isolating effect that screens often have.
College is the place where we learn to live independently, and it is often difficult to balance our priorities. However (and this sometimes feels like a hot take at Midd), I think your own well-being and happiness should come first, which will, in turn, make you a better student, friend and overall person. Of course, this is a balance in and of itself, and especially around finals, it becomes hard to get enough sleep or feel like you have the time to see friends — let alone spend time taking care of yourself.
But it doesn’t take a big time commitment to recenter and find ways to take care of your mental health that don’t create additional cognitive strain. One valuable way to do this is by incorporating art or creativity into your schedule, whatever that looks like for you. Whether it’s participating in an organized art event or taking a study break to be creative instead of scrolling, the advantages of taking time and space for art justify the effort.
Making art has been shown to benefit mental health by lowering cortisol levels, providing an opportunity to refocus and fostering community. It’s not about making a perfect artwork (again, maybe a counter-normative idea at Midd), but more about grounding yourself and taking space from the things that stress you out. In fact, one study showed that just drawing repeated patterns reduced stress and augmented emotional well-being.
Finding an avenue for creativity in your daily routine might feel intimidating, especially if you don’t usually find yourself drawn to visual art. But there are countless ways to take a break that might work for you. Whether it’s doodling, painting, ceramics, making a friendship bracelet, music, dance, writing or another form of expression, there are ways to fit art into a busy schedule, even if just for a few minutes. Prioritize your well-being, take a break from staring at your computer or phone and make art!
Or, get involved with art on campus through clubs and school-sponsored events. Organizations like Yarn & Yap, the Ceramics club, MiddCAT, Darkroom club, the Atelier sewing club and M-Gallery are just some groups that offer an opportunity to build community while caring for your own well-being through art. Making time to encourage creativity, despite your busy schedule, will benefit you and those around you.
Olive Austin '28 (she/her) is an Opinions Editor.
Olive is a Psychology and Spanish dual major who loves art, music and being outdoors. She is the treasurer for Middlebury Creating Art Together, a peer writing tutor, and is on rugby. She is from Madison, Wisconsin.
