Being college students here at UC Berkeley, we are no strangers to stress. But while performing well in classes and balancing extracurriculars is important–don’t forget about your mental health! Having good mental health can help you perform better and have an overall more fulfilling and fruitful college experience. While papers are piling up, deadlines are nearing, and the level of stress is increasing, here are some tips for self-care to make sure you stay healthy during exams’ season!
Get enough sleep I realize that the word “enough” means different things for different college students. For some, it may be 8 hours, while for others, four hours may seem sufficient. But countless pieces of research has shown that getting 7-8 hours of sleep helps you retain information better and keep a good mental state for exams. Researchers have stated that students who slept for 6 hours or less for two weeks straight performed on the same par on an exam as someone who had not slept for 48 hours straight (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). So put the books away after a certain point and catch some sleep!
Exercise If you feel stressed and wound up, beat those stress hormones with some endorphins! Exercising can help you feel happier and more motivated, and also help with memory and consolidating information. If you are looking for a fun way to exercise, head on to the RSF for some FREE group exercises classes! Dance to bollywood and pop songs in cardio dance, practice your kickboxing in HIIT, feel the burn in core, or even relax your mind and body in sunrise yoga!
Plan Ahead Although it may be tempting to leave certain assignments for “later,” that “later” can easily become the night before an exam or project deadline. In order to avoid last-minute panic and stress, try to use a planner or bullet journal to section in 30mins-hour to study or work on your project, at least a week in advance. Sticking to your schedule will not only make it seem like less work overall, but also help you retain information over a longer period of time!
Eat Healthy Foods and Stay Hydrated Last but not least, don’t forget to keep your body well-nourished with well-balanced meals! Try to incorporate some vegetables and protein to help fuel your mind while you are studying. Also, keep a water bottle close while studying to make sure you don’t get dehydrated!
Good luck studying, and here’s to mentally and physically fit bears!!