What it Means to Have a Healthy College Life
- Student Coaching Services
Categories: college life , healthy balance , healthy living
The college years are a time when you transition into adulthood. This may be the first time that you live alone or face other challenges that adults deal with on a regular basis. However, you don't have to go through this transition by yourself. Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your college experience.
Achieve Balance by Doing Less
You will likely discover that college demands a lot of your time. It may be necessary to spend hours each night reading books or taking notes in a library. To help pay the bills, you might need to spend 10 to 20 hours a week at work. Of course, you will also want to spend time participating in academic and social clubs and hanging out with friends.
However, you will need to set boundaries and create priorities. These boundaries and priorities may shift over time. For instance, there may be some weeks when you have to spend your time at the library and away from social gatherings. As your work schedule clears, be sure to make more time to spend with friends or otherwise have fun.
Make Sure Your Living Conditions Work
Much of your health is determined by the place you make your home. Living with a roommate you don’t get along with can cause conflict in your daily life. You want to feel like your apartment or dorm is a safe place to study, sleep, and relax from the stress of class. There are ways to go about conflict resolution on your own, but you can also talk to school administrators about the problem. The school will take steps to handle the problem, such as letting you move to another dorm. Good communication can also reduce conflict between roommates.
Don't Forget About Your Mental Health
College can be stressful for even the most laid-back individuals. Therefore, don't be afraid to seek help for anxiety or other mental health issues. You can seek help from college staff or by talking to your doctor. Friends and family members can also provide a support system to help you out when you're feeling depressed or not like yourself.
Your college years will set the foundation for the rest of your life. The degree that you earn and the connections that you forge can make it easier to obtain the career that you want. Furthermore, the experiences that you have during school can help shape you into a more focused and confident version of yourself.