Now that we’re officially 3 weeks into the semester, things are starting to pick up.… FAST. Assignments start piling up, lab reports are due before you know it, and midterms are lurking in the background. While university can feel like a never-ending to-do-list, it’s important that we don’t burn ourselves out in the process.
Taking care of your mental health doesn’t mean big lifestyle changes, or an hour-long skincare routine. Sometimes, the small, intentional habits that you incorporate every day can make the biggest difference.
- . HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
-
No matter how busy your day is, always having that one thing that you’re looking forward to can change your mindset completely. It could be just as simple as grabbing a coffee between classes, going the long scenic route across campus to get home, or FaceTiming someone after a long day. It doesn’t have to be a full hour of relaxation; even 20-30 minutes is enough to recharge. Whenever your day feels overwhelming, remind yourself that something much more enjoyable is waiting for you!
- . DON’T STUDY WHILE EATING
-
We’ve all done it before, whether it be eating lunch during lecture or while studying. While it might feel like you’re being productive and efficient, your brain needs breaks to function properly. Meals are one of the easiest opportunities to rest your mind (food is fuel)!
Put your study materials away and use lunch time as an opportunity to watch a show, scroll mindlessly or just sit and decompress.
- . JOURNAL IT OUT
-
School tends to pile up quickly, and it’s easy to bottle everything in and push through. Journaling is a simple way to let those feelings out before they overwhelm you. You don’t need anything fancy, just a pen and paper. Vent about your day, what’s stressing you out and your feelings. Getting those thoughts out of your head and onto paper can be surprisingly relieving and helps clear mental space.
- . SET ONE NON-NEGOTIABLE BOUNDARY
-
Instead of trying to overload yourself every single hour of every single day of the week, set a boundary and stick to it. This can include no phone while studying, not working past a certain time, or always taking Sundays off from schoolwork. Having some sort of non-negotiable boundary gives you something consistent to rely on, even during stressful weeks.
It’s a small way of protecting your mental health without feeling like you’re falling behind.
- . STOP BEING HARSH ON YOURSELF
-
Here’s the hard truth: not every day is going to be productive, AND THAT’S OKAY. Some days you’ll feel unstoppable and finish an entire week’s worth of lectures; other days, just showing up will feel like an accomplishment.
Give yourself credit for all the effort you put in, even on low energy days. You’re not meant to work at 100% efficiency all day every day, and resting doesn’t mean you’re failing. Simply doing your best is enough.
At the end of the day, university is demanding, but you don’t have to sacrifice your mental health to succeed. Start building small habits that support your wellbeing and help you feel more balanced and present. Don’t just apply these habits to this semester, but (challenge yourself to) take them beyond! :)