How to be a Redbird, not a dead bird | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Education

How to be a Redbird, not a dead bird

The clumsy college student's guide to survive without falling flat on your face

66
How to be a Redbird, not a dead bird
http://www.pdalaw.co.uk/personal-injury/

You're running late for your 3 p.m. lecture halfway across campus from your apartment. You slide your backpack over your shoulders on the way out the door, and the mission begins. You pass a friend in the hallway, turn around to say hello, then BAM! You've walked into the wall at the end of the hallway at full speed... that will leave a bruise tomorrow, or in my case, a broken nose.

Surviving four years at Illinois State is not easy by any means, being clumsy adds many bumps in the road. Trips to the hospital are tedious, expensive, and can easily be avoided with the help from these tips.

Get some sleep

Catch more z's like this little one

https://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/issues/5-sleep-through-the-night-strategies/

The recommended 8 hours of sleep every night is shown to help improve balance. Losing sleep slows your reaction time and could be detrimental in the event of an accident. Plus, if you're sipping on coffee all day, you'll have a better chance of spilling it on yourself or someone else!

Keep your head on a swivel

Don't be like her, stay alert

https://www.google.com/search?q=walking+into+a+wall&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS768US768&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs7rnjxNzgAhXE6IMKHa9UAZgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1258&bih=642#imgrc=jJ-pUloR4bmfZM:

We've been taught to look both ways before crossing the street, but clumsy people need to be prepared in any situation. This implies for hallways, sidewalks, communal bathrooms, you name it. Walls catch you by surprise, icy commutes are inevitable, and don't even get me started on doors. If you're alert and prepared, you'll be ready for whatever life throws your way.

Exercise

50 crunches a day will keep the clumsiness away!

https://www.popworkouts.com/upper-body-crunches/

Your core is the control center of the muscles in your body. Strengthening your body, primarily your core will help reduce risk of injuries in accidents. A simple, daily ab workout before bed puts you at an advantage during your next klutz moment. College athletes train their cores to lower the risk of sprains and strains during games, and for non-athletic students life is their game.

Take a breath

https://www.freegreatpicture.com/healthy-men/relaxed-leisure-men-52158

Stress during the day can be good for productivity and increasing your situational awareness, but too much stress leads to slower processing. Unhealthy amounts can actually negatively impact your peripheral vision, which is the last thing a clumsy person needs. Over-stressing can cause you to think strictly about your stressors and you may lose focus on your surroundings, which can put you in danger.

Train your brain

If you're brain is moving a mile a minute, you will too

https://www.simplek12.com/communication-and-collaboration/boost-students-thinking/attachment/boost-student-thinking-thinking-process-woman-thinking-lightbulb-thinking/

Studies show that people who possess a strong memory have faster reaction times and are less clumsy. By being less forgetful, you are more aware of your surroundings. Downloading a "brain games" app can not only help boost your memory, but coordination as well; and keep you out of accidents.

Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself

Confidence is key to overcoming clumsiness

https://www.hinsdaledentistry.com/blog/confident-in-your-smile-try-this-test/

Clumsy people tend to have low self-esteem due to their frequent embarrassment. Though not everyone is hard on themselves, getting into accidents frequently can do a lot to a person, especially a student under the immense stressors of college life. Remember to take time for yourself and do things that make you happy, just stay safe while doing so!

Accidents are unpredictable, but these tips will improve your clumsiness over time. The little changes you make in your life will have a big impact to make you healthier, happier, and keep you out of trouble.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187664
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13263
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456635
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25869
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments