By: Mary Usufzy
As we enter the month of February and gear up for the new semester, it’s important to keep the little things in mind. As Honors students, we have the tendency to be over achievers and perfectionists. Some of us might worry too much and overthink the smallest things. Such a mentality could lead to putting far too pressure on ourselves, leading to stress and anxiety. I have personally dealt intense strain from taking too many courses and learned how much of a burden that is to bear.
However, if you soon feel overloaded with coursework and extracurriculars, then you’re not alone. Midterms season will come faster than we think and although studying is essential, there’s something far more important: self-care. It’s a mentality many of us forget or disregard, but if you don’t take care of yourself, it will only lead to failure.
Here are some ideas for self-care:
Idea #1: Exercise (or just take a walk!)
Even if we get plenty of exercise running around campus to our classes, many of us don’t take advantage of the Rec Center. Our tuition pays for it too! You spend all this money, so you might as well use the gym to keep yourself in shape. Science shows that, in addition to burning calories and making you lose weight, exercise lifts your mood and reduces stress levels. Make it a priority, set aside time for exercising (as you would for classes or studying), and have fun!
Idea #2: Drink water
H2O is your friend! Although everyone has heard the standard 8 cups of water a day, there’s actually no scientific evidence to back it up. Just drink whenever you feel thirsty and carry around a water bottle, instead of drinking from plastic bottles every day. It will save you money and help the environment!
Idea #3: Sleep Well (no all-nighters!)
When midterms and finals come around, it’s hard to resist the temptation to stay up all night and cram study (often accompanied with abundant cups of coffee). However, this only leads to greater stress and anxiety. All scientific studies show that sleep is essential for success in our daily lives and our bodies absolutely need to rest and recharge. By getting the standard 7-8 hours of sleep, it will make you happier and your grades will improve too!
Idea #4: Plan out your day
Personally, I have a bit of an obsession with my planner. I enjoy writing out my daily schedule of classes and important events for the month. I find it relaxing and it also keeps my mind at rest. If you’re not the type to write things down, then you can use an app to keep yourself on track. All college students have to meet important deadlines and this will keep your organized, setting your mind at ease.
Idea #5: Make time for yourself
Even if you’re a very extroverted person, you still need time off to yourself to do anything you please. Meditate, take a bath, or go on a nature hike. Take up a new hobby, like painting or planting a garden. Anything that makes you happy and keeps your stress at bay, because it’s wonderful to take your mind off of college, even if it’s for a little while. Because in this busy world of deadlines and duties, it’s very important to take care of yourself too.