Most college students have learned the hard way that being mentally, physically, and emotionally okay requires work. Often, we choose to focus on one aspect, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Here's some tips on having a well-rounded semester!
1. Academics
Make sure to have a balance of classes you need to graduate and some classes you are genuinely curious about! Getting a degree is great and all, but this is the time to learn about other subjects and ideas! Even an engineer in a sociology class can learn something!
During the weekend, plan out your schedule for homework, office hours, and studying for the next week. This way, you won't be overwhelmed every morning with confusion over how to plan the rest of the day out.
Try to make friends in every class! Having someone's number for assignments or confusion over lecture slides or even possible study sessions is always convenient! Plus, people are probably in your class because they are interested in that area, so that's an easy way to start a convo!
2. Food
Eating schedules are often messed up as soon as the second week of school starts. It's ideal to plan out lunch breaks with your class schedule, but things come up. Try keeping some fruit and granola bars in your backpack to eat during class or in between classes. You'll receive enough fuel so you don't overeat when dinner finally comes.
What's considered "overeating" is very subjective, but remember that as a college student, you should try new things! Eat full meals, but balance with healthy snacks during the day. Try to avoid stress-eating! It can actually make you even more stressed at times and tired.
DRINK WATER EVERYDAY!!! Buy a cheap water bottle, if you don't want to buy Fiji water. And, there are water fountains in every class building. No excuses!
3. Stress
First of all, admit that it's okay to be stressed as a college student. In fact, it's normal. Not being stressed is actually strange considering the point of college is being challenged in different ways. Second, take a deep breath!! Third, picture yourself in a different physical setting, one where you actually want to be. This can help you separate yourself from the current stressors in the environment you're in. Fourth, identify the cause of the stress and start listing different solutions. You can write this down or say it in your head. Either way, this will prevent you from being overwhelmed by the problem. If you can, try to take a break away from the problem, even if you can only do so for a few minutes. Having a calm mind will prevent you from thinking hastily and unintentionally using a solution you later regret.
4. Social Life
All of us have different levels of shyness and willingness to interact with others. It's important to realize that you don't have to be sociable all the time! There are times when you just want to be by yourself, and that's perfectly okay!
Try to join clubs and organizations that are genuinely interesting to you, not just ones that would like on your resume. This way, you'll be more inclined to actually enjoy yourself and open up to possible future friends in the club.
Learn to balance your social life with school and other commitments. This is easier said than done, but it's important to grow in more than one way during college. You have to realize that your source of happiness is not just friends or just good grades; getting a good degree is important to you, having fun with friends is important to you, staying healthy is important to you, etc. By the time you graduate, you will hopefully have figured out how to keep these sources of happiness in almost perfect balance with each other.
Good luck this semester!!!! Try new things, make new friends, and make it a semester better than any previous ones!
