Living for the weekend is something that we are all guilty of. However, when we take into account that there are far more weekdays than weekends, something doesn’t seem to add up. Understandably, when work is piling up and you have a hectic schedule filled with 9am lectures, seminars and workshops, it is no wonder that the weekend is seen as a haven. However, here are a few tips that could infuse even your weekdays with a little bit more glee.
1. Treat yourself everyday
Using retail therapy to lift your mood can be difficult on a student budget but you can still treat yourself (just maybe not with an expensive spending spree). You could cook your favourite meal, buy that chocolate bar you’ve been craving, or download the song you’ve had in your head all week. Cheaper still, hook up to the Wifi and watch your favourite video on Youtube or chat with your friends and family on Skype. Having something to enjoy daily, not just at the weekend, will help you feel a little happier every day.
2. Like it? Try it!
Finding something you love to do gives you something to look forward to during the week. In most cases, there will be a society dedicated to your hobby, meaning that you can meet some like-minded people who have the same interest as you. This can be really rewarding because not only will you be doing something you love, but you can meet people you are bound to get on with, too. Plus, joining societies for your subject can help beat the stress that is getting you down, as you can talk about the course with other people who are on the same boat as you: you are not the only one who feels the way you do- what a relief!
3. Seize the day
Giving you a real sense of achievement, trying something new could instantly boost your mood. University gives you so many opportunities to try out new things- so why don’t you? There is a wide range of activities you could get involved with: participate in an event, volunteer, or even sign up for a day trip. And, on top of it all, you won’t be left wondering why you never took a chance when you could have.
4. Do what YOU want
At university, there is so much freedom. This means you can do whatever makes you feel happy and, remember, this doesn’t mean you have to be influenced by other people. So, go on a night out or stay in, join societies, go to events or don’t- the choice is yours! You don’t have to pretend to like something just because everyone else does. Doing what you actually love will make you happy, so don’t worry about what anyone else may say or think; it’s your life.
5. Planning
Try to plan your days ahead of time so you have the right amount of time to fit in every area of your life, such as social life, hobbies and studying. You don’t want to spend all of your time studying because that wouldn’t be much fun but, also, not studying enough will make you pretty unhappy when exam season comes around. So make sure you have time to do all the things you know you should do plus all the things you want to do: balance is key!