With the first couple of weeks of classes out of the way, our calendars are filling up for the rest of the semester. I've realized that separating my school life and responsibilities from my personal life has become increasingly difficult. Especially if you live on campus, it can be pretty hard to draw the line and stop doing school work to give yourself some personal time. Sometimes I forget to give myself some time to destress and just focus on living. Here are some tips for prioritizing self-care in order to live a full and healthy life, and to be able to care for others effectively as well.

1. Sleep

Staying up late to work or sacrificing sleep to complete an assignment or prepare for class adds up. If I stay up late a couple of nights in a week, I'm often not at my best to fulfill my other responsibilities. If I don't sleep enough, I get overly emotional at small things and every little mistake seems like so much more of a big deal than it really is. Sleeping is very, very important for mental, physical, and emotional health.

2. Water

Water makes up the majority of our body's composition. Not drinking enough water can make you feel drowsy and tired. I tend to forget to drink water, but because it's so important to get enough in throughout the day, I carry around a water bottle and drink it little by little.

3. Exercise

Letting off steam and de-stressing is easily done by being active. I like to run every morning to wake up and prep my mind for a full day. It also helps in making me more tired by the end of the day so that I get a full night of sleep.

4. Socialize

Following a schedule can sometimes lead me to forget about talking to friends and checking in on people. Conversations, even short ones, can be good mental breaks throughout the day. When you have a conversation with someone, it can help you cope with having a busy schedule.

5. Hobbies

Doing something that you really like, whether it be for five minutes or an hour every day can give you a little boost of happiness and improve your mood. I enjoy watching funny videos, drawing, writing, editing videos, dancing, and listening to music.

Taking breaks and setting boundaries for yourself and your time is essential for your health and overall happiness. Self-care is necessary, and the sooner you prioritize it in your life, the sooner your happiness will improve.