A new semester is beginning, and before we know it beach days and late nights with friends will be replaced with test days and long hours spent studying. Education is important, and doing well in school is a great goal to have. However, it's also important not to let school stress you out to the point that it affects your health. Students sometimes sacrifice sleeping, eating, and emotional well being to ace a test. Here are some ways to practice self care this semester so you're in good shape to do your best in school without burning yourself out.
1. Get a good night's sleep.
I know that this one is easier said than done, but it's necessary for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Pulling all nighters or getting little sleep to cram for an exam actually does more harm than good. It's easier to focus and retain information when you're well rested and a good night's sleep will put you in a better mood.
2. Do your best to manage your time effectively.
Nothing is more stressful than having multiple assignments due at once and a small window of time to get them done. It may seem easier to say "I'll do that later", but before you know it you can overwhelm yourself by procrastinating. Try your best to knock your assignments out of the way sooner rather than later so you're not stressing out at the last minute.
3. Eat healthy meals, not just junk.
With a full schedule of back to back classes, it's easy to grab fast food or worse, to not eat at all. If you're not eating a healthy meal or just not eating in general, you're body will feel sluggish. Pack a lunch with some healthy snacks you can eat throughout the day.
4. Set aside time to exercise.
Just like healthy eating, exercise can improve your focus and give you more energy. Even if it's a daily bike ride around campus, a little physical activity can go a long way.
5. Read for fun.
With so much homework and assigned reading, many students don't make time to read for pleasure. Reading something you enjoy is good for stress management and can provide you with a much needed break from academic reading.
6. Don't neglect your social life.
They say the friends you make in college will be your friends for life, so it's important to set time aside for a social life. Hanging out with friends is a good way to de-stress and improve your mood. You can even kill two birds with one stone and form a study group.
7. Make "Me Time" a priority.
While maintaining a good social circle is good for morale, it is also important to set time aside for yourself. Whether it's a hot bath, watching your favorite show, or taking 15 minutes to meditate, remember that you owe yourself time to do something that makes you happy.
8. Unplug.
The world we live in is technology dependent. Between text messages from friends and social media we're tethered to our phones and laptops. Do yourself a favor and set time aside to be technology free. It might be hard, but you'll thank yourself for it later. You won't get as distracted and you can focus on either homework or making time for yourself.
9. Ask for help if you need it.
Some classes are more difficult than others, and it can be intimidating to ask your instructors for extra help if you're not understanding something. It might not always seem like it, but your professors want you to succeed and will appreciate you coming to them because it shows that you care. It's better to ask for help if you're struggling than to do poorly on an exam or paper. If you're not able to make your professor's office hours, seek outside help like tutoring.
10. Don't be too hard on yourself.
If you're a perfectionist you might think a poor grade is the end of the world. At the end of the day, all you can do is try the best you can. Let's face it, some classes are harder than others, and when you do poorly in a class you shouldn't internalize it. You're paying for these classes, so ideally you want to make good grades. However, no grade is worth sacrificing your physical, mental, or emotional well being.
