Going to college has always been exciting, but in this post-pandemic world of 2021, students heading into their further and nerve-wracking adventure education years have a whole new level of things to plan for.
Safety is a necessary precaution for everyone, of course. However, you don’t need to lock yourself in a bubble to be successful and thrive on campus.
These tips will guide you as you return for your next college year. With them in place, you can focus on preparing for your future career while staying happy and healthy wherever you are!
1. Learn About Nutrition:
School sort of teaches you how your body works in a glossed-over, general way. Most of us ignore basic Biology and Anatomy 101 until it gets to the fun, hands-on parts, though.
The earlier you really understand how nutrition works and the way that what you eat fuels your body, the sooner you’ll be healthy and the easier life becomes.
The most common analogy really does fit: What you eat and drink is your body’s fuel. If you filled your brand new, sleek sports car with junk and sludge, would it keep working at peak performance for long? Probably not.
The same theory applies to your body. Everything you put in your body impacts each part of your system over time, even if you can’t see it or feel it.
Fuel your body with healthy nutrition and an organized living environment, and you’ll notice it in how alert you are, how well you sleep, and in all other areas, too.
2. Focus on Quality Sleep, Not Quantity:
According to some studies, nearly 70% of college students work at least part-time while going to school. If you add in an attempt at a decent social life and studying, there’s not too much time left for sleeping.
In your college years, sleep deprivation is a common problem. But when you don’t get enough restful slumber, you can’t hide it. It shows up in things like your difficulty retaining information, fatigue throughout the day, and a lowered immune system.
As a teen, you might have needed eight to ten hours of sleep. Now that you’re in college, you can get by on as little as six hours, as long as what you’re getting is good quality.
For instance, if you’re tossing and turning all night, that’s not restful. Good slumber should be uninterrupted and consist of all the stages of sleep.
If this is a struggle for you, try some of these tips to get better rest:
- Stick to a bedtime and wake-up schedule.
- Avoid caffeine after 4 p.m.
- Limit alcoholic beverages as much as possible.
- Turn off all electronics at least an hour before going to sleep.
- Avoid naps, but if you must take them, keep them short (15 – 20 minutes).
Until you get into a healthy routine, consider taking natural supplements to teach your body how to rest again. Over time, you’ll get the quality sleep that improves the rest of your day.
3. Have a Social Life, With Limits:
Work and play are both equally important. This is why financial experts always include finding a balance in your professional and personal life.
When you start applying this philosophy to your time in college, it transitions with you after graduation. Of course, you should prioritize your education and getting good grades. However, if you eliminate your personal life, you’re going to feel burnt out.
As long as you set aside a little time every day for fun and relaxation, it’s easier to handle the pressure of being a college student. You can still have a social life and keep healthy safety measures in place.
Going to extremes is never a good idea, no matter which area in life you’re looking at. To stay healthy and happy in your college years, focus on balancing your education and your personal growth in moderation.
Conclusion:
In 2021, a lot of us are still shell-shocked from the previous year’s pandemic and lockdown.
As you enter back into the world of college, it’s understandable that you’re more cautious. But you can have a healthy and happy experience while you’re preparing for your future by making sure to follow these three tips!
