I think we can all agree that thus far college is one of the hardest things that we have had to do in our lives. The stress, the late nights, and the unhealthy cafeteria food can start to wear on you throughout the semester. If you are like me at all, then you have probably asked yourself: why am I in college? Is college worth it? Or, you are contemplating how long you would be able to live off your parents until you went crazy. I think every college student has contemplated dropping out at one time or another but college shouldn’t be all about school or working yourself to death. This is a time in our lives where we learn what it is like to have a little more freedom and responsibility.
We should be learning new things, but it doesn’t always have to be in a classroom. We should be experiencing new activities but not in the chemistry lab and we should be working but not necessarily on homework. But how do you do this? It seems nearly impossible sometimes, so here are a few tips that will hopefully help you.
1. College is also a place where you learn how to take of yourself.
Staying healthy takes a lot more work than people realize because you have to take care of yourself emotionally, physically and mentally. Finding a balance between academics and personal health is not an easy thing to do but it does get easier with time. A few ways to make sure that you are living a healthy lifestyle is to…
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Have an exercise schedule, even on the days where you seem overwhelmed by school. Just taking 30 minutes to get some physical activity can help to relieve stress and clear your mind.
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Make sure you are eating at least 2 servings of fruits and veggies every day. I know this is not possible every day and that is okay, but eating fruits and vegetables will help you to focus and to minimize stress.
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Make time for relaxing. Turning off your brain is important to do because it relieves stress and allows you to recuperate for a little while. Relaxing could include napping, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, reading, writing or whatever you want to do.
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SLEEP! It is easy to get caught up in the idea that college students never sleep. Well, that is not true, nor is it healthy. Sleep is when we heal our bodies and reset our brains so it is important to get at least 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night.
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A tip for feeling more awake is to time your sleep by your REM cycle. A REM cycle is about 90 minutes long, so if you set your alarm for 7.5 hours of sleep you will feel more awake throughout the day! This works because you will wake up when your body is naturally in a lighter sleep so you won’t be as discombobulated for your 8 am classes.
2. Stay Positive.
Being kind to yourself is one of the most important things that you can do for your mental health in college. Your words have a big impact both on you and your peers. When you get a bad grade on a test do not get mad at yourself. Instead, take a deep breath and tell yourself over and over that you are going to do better next time. In the end you are the only person that can push yourself to do great things.
3. School work doesn’t always have to be your #1 priority.
I know many of us are here on scholarships so it seems like academics need to come first, but to stay sane it is necessary for you to occasionally take a step back and just have fun! There are so many places around campus to explore and so many great organizations to get involved in that can help to get your mind off school. Also, finding good long lasting friends in college is one of the best things that you can do for yourself during these four years. Friendships can last a lifetime whereas the lesson that are learned in a classroom may fade.
4. College is the perfect balance between responsibility and irresponsibility so take advantage of it!!
I have already said that college is hard, but unfortunately the real world is an even harder place to live in. So, enjoy the opportunities that you have in college to learn new things and pick up new hobbies. Go swing dancing in Hardin Hall on Monday nights (Lesson from 8 pm – 9 pm and dancing from 9 pm – 11 pm), or try out racquetball and rock climbing at Fike. Also, there are several beautiful places that make you feel like you are in a different world. Lake Keowee is about 20 minutes away from Clemson and in my opinion is one of the most beautiful lakes in the South Carolina. Of course, there is always Y-Beach or the Clemson Botanical Gardens that can provide a change of scenery without leaving campus.
5. College is a lot to take in because there is a lot of change all at once.
I know college is hard to adjust to and it is okay to be sad, stressed out or even depressed sometimes. Change is hard and it takes a while for your brain and heart to accept the difference. But change is one the best ways to learn more about yourself and to grow as a person. That being said, anxiety and depression should not be taken lightly. If you think that you or a friend are suffering from either one of these ailments, please get help! You can reach Clemson’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 864-656-2222 and asking for the CAPS counselor on call. Please realize that you or your friend does not deserve to go through something such as depression or anxiety by yourself, you are important and worth being cared for.
Changing your priorities daily can help you to take care of yourself, create amazing new friendships, try new things and to do well in school. College is such an amazing time in our lives so let’s enjoy every single moment that we have of it!