Though the quarter system tests students in many ways time after time, it does give us a chance every few months to start fresh. And every new beginning is welcome to the accompaniment of some lifestyle changes. Here are some habits to either make or break to most enjoy the remainder of the school year.
Good Habits
1. Going to sleep at the same reasonable time every night.
I get it, we are college students. We have an inherent right and desire to go to sleep whenever we want. However, the college experience is most enjoyable in the form of organized chaos. Organization being the key word. Consistency can help in that endeavor, and getting enough sleep is vital. So be sure to find a time where you can go to sleep and get enough sleep that will stay consistent all or at least most of the week.
2. Respond to messages from a friend within 24 hours.
There is no reason why you should keep people in the dark or wondering what’s going on with you. Based on my observation, no matter how busy people are, they are usually not far way from a phone or computer. There isn’t much of an excuse not to be keeping in touch with people. With today's technology, it is easier to stay connected, but it seems like it makes us too busy or too distracted and we end up ignoring some people we shouldn't be.
3. Think positively about your appearance
It's important to dress appropriately, work out and eat healthy, but don't put yourself down in the process. The more you see yourself as someone who desperately needs help in these categories, the less progress you think you are making. Try not to compare yourself to other people whether it be at the gym or classroom. Everyone is good at certain things but horrible at others, and the same applies to you. I know some people compare themselves and feel that they are unathletic, weak, dumb, ugly, or unsuccessful but this isn't a competition. We are all just striving to be the best we can be and you should as well.
4.Take notes by hand
Like I said before, the computer offers too many distractions. Taking notes online can be easy and convenient in certain cases, but ultimately it can be too much of a gamble; especially if you're a multitasker like me. Class is definitely not the time to multitask. You need to be focused on the individual task of understanding the material presented. The best way to do that is the old fashioned way. It helped you in middle and high school to get into college, and it's still reliable to this day.
5. Say "Thank You"
We don't live the typical life of luxury that is displayed by the Kardashians, but we are still beneficiaries of certain luxuries. Good things happen to us every day, usually small and humble. We have come to expect them, stuff like having stores and restaurants nearby, various resources on campus, and also support and troubleshooting resources when things go wrong. How many of these things do we actually say thank you for? Chances are, not enough. It's one of those things that initially will take some reminding, but it can easily become second nature.
Bad habits
1. Limit driving and late night food adventures
If necessary, have some snacks available at your room or apartment, but sometimes sketchy stuff happens at night. Be sure to think safety first especially during the night hours because if anything is set to go wrong, it's going to happen then.
2. Take a 15-minute break every hour you use your phone or laptop
Technology dominates and influences our lives, but don't let it control yours. It's a cliche, but there's really a lot more to life than that. It's also important not to overlook the toll excessive screen exposure takes on your eyes and how excessive typing can cause carpal tunnel.
3. Don't leave trash everywhere
Occasionally we encounter full or overflowing trash cans that make throwing stuff away tedious. Don't take shortcuts and don't be a slob. Hang on to trash until you can properly dispose of it. And don't throw anything in the wrong bin (trash, recycling, compost). If you’re unsure, ask. This not only keeps our local area in better shape, but it helps us take care of our planet.
4. Limit your car to one or two trips most days
Depending on where you live, this one isn’t exactly possible, but the theme here is to stop wasting resources like money and gas to get more exercise. If you’re not in a rush, take the elevator as opposed to the stairs. Try walking or biking to nearby places whenever possible, and rely on driving only when it's absolutely necessary. These kinds of limits will benefit multiple aspects of your life at one.
5. Limit swearing/use of sensitive words
Some people are really good at not using swear or potentially offensive words; others not so much. The things about habits are once they are established, they become second nature and reveal themselves at inconvenient times. My best advice for this is to be cautious and observant of your word choice. Make the necessary adjustments and it’ll do much more good than harm. We live in a diverse space, and using caution when we speak is the least we can do.
Hope you found these suggestions useful!
