It’s easy to live for others in college. If your parents are paying your tuition, you can’t help but feel the need to come home every weekend. If you’re working, you need to make sure to show up to your job every day, on time, no matter what. And, of course, there are the hundreds of assignments you have to finish for your professors. Between all of these things, it’s hard to take care of yourself and put yourself first in college. As my college days are winding down, here are a few ways I’ve learned to prioritize myself among all the craziness.
Take 30 minutes to yourself every night. Whether it’s watching an episode of your favorite TV show, doing a face mask, painting your nails, talking to friends, or whatever you’d like- take a small chunk of time every day to make sure you’re enjoying yourself. This way, you’ll get a break from all of your responsibilities and can re-charge for the next day.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s ok to make a B. It’s ok to even make a C. It’s ok to call in sick to work if you have to, and it’s ok to cancel plans with family or friends if you just need a night alone. At the end of the day, if you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to be the perfect student/child/friend/worker/etc, your whole life will pass you by without you taking a moment to breathe. For that reason, just know that it’s ok to screw up and step back because at the end, the race is short, and it’s only with yourself.
Do what YOU want to do. As long as it’s not stupid and dangerous, of course. But it’s your major, your job, your apartment, your weekend, your life! If you want to go to a party, go. If you want to change your major three or four times, do it. Your future is at your feet, and it’s your decisions that will impact how it turns out. So don’t worry about anyone else’s thoughts of ideas of what your life should be like. Worry about you, and only YOU.
How do you practice self love in college?