I truly and deeply believe that the most important thing in life is to live each day to the fullest. You never know what tomorrow has to offer so you need to take the most out of every second you have today. There is not enough time in life to waste a minute of it, let alone days or weeks. With this being said, I have come up with five simple things to add to your day to make sure it is a good one. To some, they may seem basic or unimportant, but from experience I can tell you that these tips really do help.

1. Physical activity.

Whether it is going to the gym, running outside, playing an intramural, or going for a nice walk, getting your blood pumping and your endorphins flowing is one of the best things you can do for your mood and your health. When I first came to UF, I got busy and caught up with the things around me, none of which included going to practice or workouts like I had been used to in high school. I started feeling tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I got. When I decided to start going to the gym again, I noticed an instant change in myself. I had more energy, I felt healthier and I started feeling like myself again. As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde put it, “endorphins make you happy.”

2. Mental stimulation.

It is important for me to feel productive every day, like I have accomplished something educational. We should be doing these types of things every day since we are in college and going to school, but we all get lazy. The worst feeling in the world for me is laziness. To overcome this, you should set a daily goal to do one assignment, get ahead in studying, or even just read a book to get your brain pumping. The most important part is to gain some new knowledge because  the world has too much to offer to not learn something new every day.

3. Coffee with a friend.

I am a people person. I thrive off of others, their energy, and the things that different people can teach me. Social interaction is important in daily life and is one of the natural human necessities. You need to surround yourself with people who motivate you, care about you, and make you feel important in this world. Coffee dates are the perfect way to take an hour out of your day to catch up with an old friend or get to know a new one. 

4. Appreciate nature

Vitamin D is a vital part of a human’s biological need and, besides, who doesn’t love getting outside and enjoying the beautiful world around them? There are so many amazing places on campus, or a short trip away, to get a dose of sunshine to keep you going. A couple of my favorite places include the Plaza of the Americas, Lake Wauburg, and Paynes Prairie. Fresh air always does you good. Combine working out and being outside by going for a nice run. 

5. Nice gesture 

There are about 50,000 students at this university, all with their own lives, stresses and problems to overcome each day. Something as simple as a smile, or holding the door for someone, can turn a bad day into a good one. This also contributes to the concept of giving back to the community, the campus and the people around you. You should not just walk around aimlessly, but appreciate what you have and contribute in some way to the lives around you. Treat people how you want to be treated, and good things will come along for you, too.

The struggle for many students, when they come to college, is slowing down their high paced lives and completely taking in the world around them. It is the simple things in life that mean the most and can make you happy on a daily basis -- if you let them! Stop and smell the roses sometimes, and the appreciation you feel will make you a happier person in the long run. So start today -- get your endorphins flowing, your brain pumping, your mouth talking, your skin glowing and be nice to the people around you.