While it might not seem like it at the time, your time at college will fly by. And while it can be a time of meeting new people, partying hard, and learning some important life lessons, it’s also the time to really knuckle down and pave the path for your future.
No one’s saying you shouldn’t enjoy the odd glass of wine, or get down and wild at a few college parties. However, if you want to succeed during your short spat there, and make the most of the time you have, you need to find the right balance between having fun and working hard.
There are things you can do to help make this journey easier for you. The following tips are designed to get you started on the right path. Don’t worry if you slip from time to time (no one’s perfect). The point is that if you follow these few health and wellness tips throughout your time at college, you stand a fighting chance of leaving happy (and qualified, of course).
#1 - Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is a vital part of life for everyone, but especially for those at college needing to have a clear head to learn. While everyone jokes as to the easy life of college students, it’s also a time of inherent stress with an ever increasing workload.
A good night’s sleep does so many things for the mind and body. It allows time for the mind to process all that you’ve taken in throughout the day and it enables the body to recharge itself, ready for the next day.
Sleep deprivation is a problem for some students as they want to live the party life but attend all their classes too. And even if you get by for a few semesters on just 3 hours sleep a night, it’s really not going to do your body any favors in the long run.
#2 - Eat a Balanced Diet
Again, eating a balanced diet is a given for anyone who wants to live a healthy life. But for those attending college it’s even more important. You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat”, but may not have given it much thought. However, this saying couldn’t be truer.
College cafeterias are notorious for offering students a wide choice in hot and cold snacks. The problem is that a lot of this food is incredibly bad for you. Too much junk food won’t just rot your teeth, it will affect your brain too.
Bad diets can cause high blood pressure and cholesterol, which in turn have been linked to memory loss and dementia. Consuming too much junk food can cause disruptions to the blood supply in the brain, and can even prevent brain cells from responding effectively to insulin.
So, instead of simply scanning the counter and grabbing what looks good, take a few moments to think about what you’re eating, and what it’s doing to your mind and body.
An easy solution is to get a blender, and start your day with a smoothie consisting of fruits and vegetables. No matter what you eat for the rest of the day, you will be safe in the knowledge that your body is getting the essential nutrients that it needs. A small, inexpensive blender that doesn’t take up much space is perfect for a college student living in a small dorm.
#3 - Make Time for Exercise
Even if it’s just 30 minutes per day, exercising regularly is a fantastic way to help improve your grades. As long as your body stays active, so will the mind. It’s a proven fact that the body releases certain feel-good chemicals when you exercise. These chemicals work wonders at fighting depression and stress, and improving one’s mood in general.
Not only is it good for keeping stress levels to a minimum, exercise and physical activity is also very good for your overall health. As mentioned above, just 30 minutes a day can make all the difference, and a college campus is the perfect place to do it. There are usually team sports to sign up to or on-campus gyms to visit. Or, how about investing in a cycle and simply riding to classes.
#4 - Cut Down on Alcohol
While your college days should of course consist of some fraternizing and having fun, it should also consist of some hard core studying too. When it comes to alcohol, you don’t need to ban it all together. You just need to learn to drink responsibly.
If you are planning a big night out, then try and drink lots of water beforehand. Not only will this help keep you hydrated later on, it’s also good for flushing out the kidneys and promoting good skin health.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, piles on the calories, and lowers inhibitions (not a good mix). So before you take that next drink, just ask yourself if it’s really needed and take a minute to remember what it’s doing to your body. You may suddenly find you’ve had enough for the evening.
#5 - Stress Management
Too much stress isn’t good for anyone and can lead to a whole array of health conditions including headaches, insomnia, obesity, and even diabetes. When attending college, you’re no doubt going to experience some kind of stress while there. It may be that you’re rushing to get an assignment done or you’re struggling to juggle between college and work.
Whatever it is that stresses you out, you need to find a way to combat it. Different people deal with stress differently. The following are a few helpful tips for combating stress:
Talk to someone. It’s amazing how much difference it can make getting something off your chest. If something is bothering you and stressing you out, find someone to tell. It could be a roommate, a teacher, a family member, or anyone else you feel you can open up to. A problem shared is a problem halved as they say.
Take a walk. Sometimes when things get on top of you, taking a brisk walk is all you need to simmer back down. Fresh air is a great help when it comes to clearing and calming the mind. You could also use this time to send your college assignment for proofreading to ProfEssays and get it done by the end of the walk.
Do something you enjoy. If things get too much and you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, take a timeout and do something you enjoy. No one is productive when they stress. So chill out, have a laugh, and reset those stress levels.
College life should be fun, but it should also be a time to concentrate hard. Therefore the key to both success and happiness is finding that right balance between work and play. Once you’ve got that down, it’s all plain sailing from there.
