Understanding Emotions 101
Emotions are like your body’s way of waving a flag to get your attention—they are messengers, not enemies.
Think of them as the soundtrack to your life, amplifying your experiences and guiding you to what truly matters. They’re the rush of excitement when you’re on the brink of something new, the warmth of connection when you’re around people who feel like home, or the tension in your chest when things feel out of your control.
They may feel inconvenient or intense sometimes, but every emotion you feel is simply trying to tell you, “Hey, this matters.” When we stop treating emotions as interruptions and start seeing them as guides, we can understand ourselves in a whole new way.
Each emotion is like a teacher, inviting you to understand yourself a little better.
Love-based and Fear-based Emotions
Power Tools
Common Emotions that most students struggle with (from our research)
We found some common themes in what students shared and we’ve created simple flows and tools to help you understand and handle these emotions better when they arise.
When to reach out to counsellors:
Here are some guidelines to help you recognize when you should consider meeting a mental health professional:
- When stress feels unmanageable: If academic pressure, deadlines, or personal responsibilities are constantly overwhelming you, hindering your daily routine and productivity.
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness: When these feelings stick around for weeks and start affecting your daily life.
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions: If your ability to concentrate or think clearly is noticeably impacted.
- Struggling with relationships consistently: If you’re having recurring conflicts or difficulty connecting with friends, family, or peers.
- Feelings of anxiety or panic: When worries or fears become overwhelming or lead to panic attacks.
- Unhealthy coping mechanisms: Turning to excessive alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviors to escape problems.
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide: If you’ve ever felt like harming yourself or that life isn’t worth living, reach out immediately.
- Changes in sleep or appetite: Sleeping too much or too little, or significant changes in your eating habit
- When you just feel 'off': If you can’t quite pinpoint what’s wrong but feel like you’re not yourself.
- Loss of interest: If things you used to enjoy no longer feel fulfilling or exciting.