Every year, us college kids make it a point to do something different for the New Year. Generally, it's the same resolutions every year.
If you're in college, you most likely just committed yourself to one of these. I know, and you know, you're totally going to stick to it.
Here they are:
Photo by Jessica Mangano on UnsplashDrinking tea always soothes my throat whenever I'm sick and adding honey will only help! Every kind of tea has its own personal benefits for you, so you can never go wrong with a cup of tea while sick. Different teas provide you with different nutrients, and the more nutrients your body has, the better it will feel. My personal favorite flavor of tea is vanilla honey tea.
Photo by Isabella Fischer on UnsplashSomething my dad always tells me when I am sick is that "sleep is the best healer." I have to say, in my experience of getting sick, making sure that I am getting enough sleep has always helped in my process of feeling better. One thing to be careful of is to be sure that you aren't getting too much sleep because that could opposite effects.
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on UnsplashIf you don't feel better in a couple of days, it is best to either make an appointment with the student health center or your doctor's office, or go to a local Urgent Care to see if you can be prescribed any antibiotics to help you get better. The important thing to remember about antibiotics is to also take probiotics to balance it out and to help you boost your immune system in the future.
A lot of times, being sick also means having a weak stomach, so eating light foods like soup is always the best route to take until your stomach is strong enough for more solid foods. Also, try to eat toast or crackers with your soup to help settle your stomach.
Finally, staying in the dorms may be one of the factors in your lack of healing. If a parent can come and get you, or if there is any way for you to go home, you should take advantage of this. Don't worry about missing class, if you email your professors and/or have a doctor's note, they will most likely be understanding.
There is nothing more refreshing than a hot shower. Some would argue that morning showers help you have a happier day. Also, you look better and smell better. There is nothing grosser than greasy hair. And it keeps you healthier.
After one all nighter during Freshman year, I realized that sacrificing my Zzzz’s was not worth it. In fact, I ended up forgetting what I had studied the night before, and it threw my whole sleep schedule off. That caused all of my classes to suffer.
Showering and Sleeping are impossible when you don’t schedule. Your day probably has an element of spontaneity to it, however, it is still so helpful to have a basic timeline for your day. Some nights I’ll write each task I need to accomplish on a different sticky note. The joy at the end of the next day of crumpling each accomplished task is something you have to experience!
Nixing Ramen and nightly Domino's pizza orders will cause your personal health to skyrocket. Cutting down on caffeine will also help you sleep better. Water is also so important. With all the coffee that makes up a college student’s beverage diet, water gets overlooked. You’ll take one gulp of pure, ice cold drinking water and wonder where the heck this miracle liquid has been.
Last semester, I was exercising sporadically or “when I had time.” Here’s the thing though, an episode of The Office is 20 minutes. I was watching plenty of that. At one point, I felt so freaking stir crazy and threw on my tennis shoes and walked through the freezing Ohio weather to the gym and exercised for like 40 minutes. I’m not trying to be a body builder or anything, but you just feel so much better after a few minutes on the stationary bike or eliptical.
You need people. Friends are important. My friend and I both had crazy schedules last year, but we’d go to the grocery store together or to Wal Mart and catch up that way. It’s just good to sit and vent with someone every once in awhile. Midnight doughnut runs are also fun, or Mean Girlsmovie nights.
This one helps everyone’s productivity. Also, when you strive to be there on the dot, even if you’re a minute or two late, it helps you keep the rest of your life scheduled. Also, if you try to be on time, and plan accordingly, chances are you won’t be super stressed out trying to get somewhere 10 minutes away in 3 minutes.
There is nothing wrong with kicking back and watching a few hours of a TV show. You need it. It’s important to take your mind off the real world for a little bit.
It is vital to look inwardly and see how you’re doing, not just materially, but emotionally and spiritually. If you’re not emotionally doing well, something needs to change. It can be really hard to do well in other aspects of your life if you aren’t feeling well mentally. Journaling is the best free therapist out there, so is talking to a good friend.
Chances are, you know someone whose schedule is way more intense than yours. Or maybe you know someone who is going through a lot, but still manages to get a lot done. When I start to complain about my course load, I remember that my dad had four kids in medical school and residency. I also tr to remember that there are a lot of people out there who would love to "struggle" with too many classes. Doing something for other people can also really help make life more meaningful.
You probably have some other ideas, but these seem to work pretty dang well!
Photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on UnsplashIt’s normal to stress about the future. I guess the fear of the unknown really takes over. One thing can be totally and completely planned out in your head, but in reality, it’s just in your head.
The one thing that everyone in their undergraduate studies thinks. Along with the infamous, “What if I don’t even end up using my degree?”
Photo by Joice Kelly on UnsplashAnd no one does. For a little bit, being off and “on your own” feelings fun and exciting, but the stress of the real world can catch up to you.
Ah, the what if’s. “What if I majored in Forensic Science or Elementary Education?” “What if I went to a different university?” “What if I didn’t go out of state?” Happens more often than not.
Wanting to grow up is all you can think about in high school. But being away from them truly show how much their physical absence can influence everything.
Photo by Liam Martens on UnsplashAs if working and going to school at the same time weren’t stressful enough. But another little paycheck does sound pretty good.
Photo by Marga Santoso on UnsplashThoughts of graduate schools and required GPA’s can seem to cloud thoughts and make the overall school situation mote stressful than it is.
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashLike exactly how long am I supposed to wait before I own a mansion and a yacht?
If you’ve ever looked into graduate school degrees, you know that there is so much in-depth studies that you can earn your Master’s degree in. With most demanding jobs requiring a graduate degree, it can be nerve racking to decide what to study in what is “the beginning of the end.“
The dreaded hour. I dont’t think anyone is really ready for the moment that their meal card shuts back down to zero. When those double digits come up, you know the end is near.
Evaluating your place in life and things like your job and degree path may be overwhelming. Thinking that what you’re doing is a waste of time will only put you steps back from where you need to be.
