The transition from living at home to on-campus makes for both a difficult and demanding time, but when adding a pandemic into the mix, it’s even harder. After living home for nearly six months between March and August, it may be more difficult to change your living habits AGAIN. The change from dorming, to living at home and doing online classes was hard, but eventually, each of us got into our own routines. But now we are expected to change again.
During this demanding transition, there are some tips and tricks that could ease your stress and maximize your experience on campus.
1. Scheduling
Planning out your time for classes and homework is a crucial part of every day. When taking a chunk out of your day to dedicate yourself to work, you develop a routine and mindset to get work done. A helpful way to create this routine is to pick a spot on campus where you go to do homework. My routine is to go to Kelly Commons, grab Starbucks, and grind out my homework. Once I begin my routine, I can get into the mindset of doing homework. Ultimately, through this practice, one can better adjust to the amount of schoolwork given and complete it in a timely manner.
2. Work Out Time
Although working out is not for everyone, having a bit of exercise in your day can be greatly beneficial to your attitude and happiness. By taking time out of your day to work out in your room, walk to get coffee, or hike through Van Cortlandt Park, the ritual of getting outside or working up a sweat helps normalize the change in your living situation. I can clear my mind and create a normal routine for myself when working out in my dorm or taking walks outside.
3. Meal Time
By picking a similar time each day to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with your friends, you are able to create a normal and steady habit of eating. Although this may seem simple, or even obvious, through this habit, your brain and body sink into the same daily routine, making your transition and living on campus more normal.
4. Me Time
Finding at least an hour out of every day to be by yourself is important for your mental health. Whether you decide to journal, meditate, or just watch Netflix, having time to be alone is helpful to your happiness and to the normalization of your living situation. The transition to a new living situation is easier once you’re able to have some alone time and feel like life is “normal” again.
I hope these tips help you adjust to the new normal we’re all facing on campus!