College is an exciting and frightening time for many recent seniors who will be heading off in a matter of weeks. It’s the start of their adult years, and for many, their first time away from the security of their home. College can be rewarding and create many lasting memories. However, it’s important to take care of your health while attending school. Listed below are a few ways to achieve it.
Making New Friends
College is an environment that contains a diverse mix of young adults who are all there to achieve the same goals: graduate and start their careers. For loners, it can be difficult to form new friendships and cause feelings of isolation that can, unfortunately, put them at a greater risk for suicide. Participation in activities will allow you to meet new people and form new friendships.
Get Care Packages from Home
No matter how eager you are to get out on your own, even the toughest freshman misses home now and again. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting a notice that you have a package from Mom and Dad waiting in one of the university lockers. No matter if it contains your favorite winter hoodie or a tin of mom’s best cookies, you’re sure to feel a little better just for getting it.
Eat a Well Balanced Diet
Eating well in college is not among the stories people tell long after their departure. However, you can eat well by opting for salad and chicken instead of the daily burgers and fries. When it comes to snacking to thwart hunger, eat a piece of fruit, raw vegetables, yogurt, or nuts versus a package of roman noodles loaded with salt. You’ll feel energized, allowing you to complete assignments and remain focused, which helps to enhance your ability to learn and maintain a healthy weight.
Know Your Limits and Avoid Peer Pressure
Parents often wish they had a viewing window while their children are at college on campus. Unfortunately, unless they sign up, too, that’s not possible. The pressure to fit in with other kids can make a straight-A good student turn to the dark side. Drugs are misused to cram for tests, alcohol is in abundance at frat parties, and smoking is considered cool. With all these things going on, it’s no wonder that so many college students develop bad habits that they often carry with them for life. Make a pact with yourself to earn your degree and avoid putting yourself in harm’s way.
Maintain a Healthy Space
Without mom around to tidy up your room and prevent you from leaving food and germs in abundance, your dorm room can turn into a petri dish quickly. Take a few minutes each day to remove the trash, wipe down surfaces, and keep dirty clothes in one location. By doing this, you’ll also promote a learning environment, helping you to study harder.
Get the Rest You Need
Staying up all night cramming for tests or socializing is going to impact your grades negatively. Instead, learn to budget your time. In most cases, you have several weeks and even months to complete assignments. Do a little studying daily so that, when it comes time for the test, you just need to review the material. Getting a sufficient amount of rest will put you in a better position to achieve higher grades. You’ll have energy, focus, and drive.
Missing a Class or Two Is Acceptable
When you feel sick, stay in your dorm room and rest. It will prevent your illness from spreading throughout the college campus and allow you to recover quickly. Use your mother’s remedy of chicken noodle soup, water, and plenty of rest. Just be sure to communicate with your professors so you don’t miss any important work.
Staying healthy during your college years is possible if you take care of yourself, avoid developing bad habits, and study each day.
