So. College. The big time. Here you are, in that bridge between high school and the real world, beginning to independently manage your life. It can seem like a lot to handle – on one hand, you’re in school for one primary reason: to learn. On the other hand, you’re exploring everything from a new perspective and want to really branch out, meet new people and have a good time. Both are equally important and time-consuming, so how do you balance it all? It’s definitely possible! Here are some helpful hints:
- Get your Z’s. Sleep may seem like an inconvenience when you have a big test to study for and your roommate just asked if you want to go grab a coffee. But scrimping on your shuteye (or, even worse, skipping it altogether) isn’t a good idea – it makes it hard to pay attention the next day, you run the risk of falling asleep in class, it weakens your immune system, and it takes days to get back on a routine. That’s not to say you can’t go get that coffee; just see if your roomie minds bringing some textbooks, too, and make it a study date. Also, don’t disregard a daytime power nap if you need it.
- Eat right. Yeah, we know you’ve heard it from your parents a thousand times, but it’s true. High-fat, high-calorie diets are the quick way to the infamous freshman 15. Eating foods high in protein and nutrients will help keep your energy up and make you feel better about yourself. Long story short: an all-ramen noodle, ice cream and Doritos diet might sound awesome, but it’s not.
- Move it! It may seem like you’re getting enough exercise walking between classes and to the stadium for games or up the jillion flights of stairs to your friend’s dorm room. But really, you need more than that. Shoot for at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week. And, you can combine it with other things. On the treadmill? Take a textbook to read at the same time. Maybe join an intramural sport. You can also work out with a friend and make it a fun social activity! The important thing is that it doesn’t feel like a chore, because then you’re not going to want to go.
- Follow the 4 P’s: Priorities, Planning, Prayer and Privacy. Time management and prioritization together are pretty important – keeping track of due dates, work and other plans will help you figure out when to devote time to school work so you don’t end up pulling all-nighters at the last minute. It’s also important that you take a few minutes to yourself every once in awhile to decompress and take a deep breath. This could be a great time to follow the fourth P: prayer. Supplement your regular worship with prayer for extra enriched practice of your faith. You can also join a prayer group to get involved!
With a little effort, you can get the most out of your college experience and keep yourself from getting too stressed out. After all, it’s hard to enjoy yourself when you constantly feel a few steps behind where you should be. Keep yourself on track and you’ll feel healthier, happier and much more motivated!