College is full of constant change, busy schedules, stress, amazing friends, finding independence, experiencing the highest highs and the lowest lows, and learning how to handle the diverse emotions that come with this whirlwind of an experience. Whether you’re a first, second, third, or fourth year, I’m sure you’ve at some point felt overwhelmed in juggling all of the different emotions and experiences that come with being a college student. Sometimes it can feel all-consuming, and losing yourself is far too easy if you haven’t established routines or practices to keep you grounded and sane.
I’ve struggled quite a bit with this, as there have been times when I have so much work to do that I isolate myself and suddenly realize I haven’t seen any of my friends, except my roommates, in a few days. Or to realize I haven’t exercised or read a page of my book in weeks.
The key to remedying this is realizing that taking time to relax, tuning in to your emotions, and doing things that you genuinely enjoy will actually strengthen your productivity. While there are definitely times when you do need to spend all day writing a paper if it’s due that night, for the most part, stepping back and taking time to yourself will not only improve your mental health and relationships, but it will allow you to be more productive while you are studying. With finals coming up, it is so important to establish routines that will allow you to succeed academically, while also keeping you sane in the process.
Everyone has different interests and hobbies, but if you’re looking for some ways to reset and recharge from constantly being on the go, here are some things that I’ve done to achieve this.
Movement
I’ve always loved running and working out; just moving my body every day helps me feel strong and motivated. However, whenever I become overwhelmed with work and other aspects of my life, I often put this to the side, only working out if I can find time in my day.
I soon realized that this was a completely unhealthy mindset to have, because the reality is that I will never “find time” for it if I don’t make time. Perhaps for you, this means making time between classes or in the evening before dinner, but I’ve recently enjoyed waking up early and starting my day with some kind of activity. When my alarm goes off, I’m always slightly regretful that I chose to wake up so early, but as soon as I’m out of my bed and at the gym or on a run, I’m incredibly grateful that I got up. By the time I’m done with my workout, I don’t feel tired anymore and I’m ready to take on the day. I like to give myself enough time to make a good breakfast, drink my coffee, take a shower, and get ready for the day without rushing too much. This calm morning routine also helps to prepare me for the day, and my days are infinitely better when I’m not just rolling out of bed and heading to class.
reading and Journaling
Another habit I’ve implemented is trying to either read or journal right before bed.
Instead of scrolling on TikTok right before going to sleep (a habit I’m still trying to stop), I try to either read or write for about 20 minutes. Nothing too crazy, but enough to help me unwind from the day and relax before bed, instead of staring at a screen until I fall asleep.
It’s helpful to always have a good book on your nightstand that you can pick up at any time, even if it takes you a while to finish. If you’re struggling with motivation to pick up a book or simply find one to read, I recommend downloading the Goodreads app. It allows you to scroll through different books and read their reviews/ratings, and to log your own progress as you read a book. When you finish the book, you’re able to update your status and rate it out of 5 stars, and even leave a review if you want. I always love finishing a book and seeing another title added to my “completed” list.
With journaling, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I simply enjoy reflecting on recent events in my life and my feelings surrounding them. If I don’t feel like doing a heavy reflection that night, I’ll just list little things that have brought me joy recently or things I feel grateful for. Even doing this for five minutes can help you unwind and focus on the positives before bed, relaxing your mind at the end of the day.
Yoga
Another habit I try to incorporate into my life is attending yoga classes. You can take them for fairly cheap at the AFC, and they are a great way to get some movement in while calming your mind and reconnecting with yourself. They offer classes that are more intense workouts (such as most of their Vinyasa Flow classes) and also classes that focus on relaxation and meditation, like their Vinyasa Yoga Nidra class.
If you don’t want to pay for classes or have to keep up with a class schedule, there are also plenty of yoga classes available on YouTube that you could do at home!
In the end, finding peace and relaxation looks different for everyone, so do what makes YOU happy! Just remember that while we’re all students, we’re also all people, and it’s okay to slow down and check in with yourself!