This past week I read: Wintergirls, a novel suggested by the Undergraduate Book Club of FYE. And while it was an easy read, it made me think about student health and how strong impressions can be. This novel delved deep into student health, specifically anorexia.
The irony about this post is that I chose to get lost in a book to relax for the weekend. Regardless of the novel genre, I recommend taking the time to engross yourself in something out of the norm that relaxes and removes you from everyday activity. Reading, walking and meditating are all great activities to try that increase.
We haven't even reached midterms yet and I have already learned the lesson of this semester: student health. Working and having money is not everything. There will be a time when you can do & see it all....after college. Try living within your means while you're here to focus on the important things. We attend school to GRADUATE. This needs to remain the focus throughout the college existence. And I don't care what anyone says: YOUR GPA WILL ALWAYS BE IMPORTANT, no matter what your major is--so take it seriously! Yes, extra-curricular activities are awesome and necessary for your resume, but being well rounded means nothing if you fail to pass the courses you need to earn that diploma.
The irony about this post is that I chose to get lost in a book to relax for the weekend. Regardless of the novel genre, I recommend taking the time to engross yourself in something out of the norm that relaxes and removes you from everyday activity. Reading, walking and meditating are all great activities to try that increase.
We haven't even reached midterms yet and I have already learned the lesson of this semester: student health. Working and having money is not everything. There will be a time when you can do & see it all....after college. Try living within your means while you're here to focus on the important things. We attend school to GRADUATE. This needs to remain the focus throughout the college existence. And I don't care what anyone says: YOUR GPA WILL ALWAYS BE IMPORTANT, no matter what your major is--so take it seriously! Yes, extra-curricular activities are awesome and necessary for your resume, but being well rounded means nothing if you fail to pass the courses you need to earn that diploma.
Google forgot to include the most important.....graduate!
I love reading Huffington Post, HuffPost Women, HuffPost Living, HuffPost Politics, HuffPostOWN & all their other twitter accounts because they provide phenomenal insight & listings on how to live a healthier, more productive and happier life. Go ahead and bookmark all of those sites, and then follow them on twitter. (Or, just follow me on twitter because I retweet them religiously). I decided to make my own list of tips for student health:
1. Buy an agenda & USE IT. This tool is vital to your success in college because, we as 20-somethings forget stuff...often. Your smartphone also more than likely has a super efficient calendar & reminder feature; look into its use.
2. Work it Out! Staying physically active is more than keeping fit and burning calories. We release serotonin, estrogen & dopamine when remaining physically active & that is always needed when college professors are shoving our throats with exams and assignments. So in between studying, classes & meetings, go visit the lovely UREC that you pay for in your Student Fees every semester. (Fun Fact: You're currently paying $45/sem for free membership).
3. Talk. To your professors, to your TA's, to your classmates, to your friends, to your parents and your counselors! Keep active relationships with everyone you're engaged with. (Long-distance or short). You will need them soon and they will need you. Communication is a necessity for information and growth--so don't be afraid of it.
4. Evaluate your stress level. Everyone in college is stressed about something. Write out everything that is currently overwhelming your week. Then, rate the importance and levels of stress that the items are putting on you. Now, scratch something (or potentially a few things) off this list that are unnecessary stresses. Jobs, relationships, clubs, classes and unnecessary expenses are on the chopping block! Make a (small) goal list & do what it takes to get these items done.
5. Embrace time for YOU. While "me-time" is likely spent watching some over-praised tv show & catching up on social media (as fast as your smartphone will allow), try something different. Pick up a magazine (if a novel is just "too hard") and embrace the quiet time. Go try a yoga or meditation class offered at the UREC. Peruse that Bible or religious app you downloaded two months ago.
I love reading Huffington Post, HuffPost Women, HuffPost Living, HuffPost Politics, HuffPostOWN & all their other twitter accounts because they provide phenomenal insight & listings on how to live a healthier, more productive and happier life. Go ahead and bookmark all of those sites, and then follow them on twitter. (Or, just follow me on twitter because I retweet them religiously). I decided to make my own list of tips for student health:
1. Buy an agenda & USE IT. This tool is vital to your success in college because, we as 20-somethings forget stuff...often. Your smartphone also more than likely has a super efficient calendar & reminder feature; look into its use.
2. Work it Out! Staying physically active is more than keeping fit and burning calories. We release serotonin, estrogen & dopamine when remaining physically active & that is always needed when college professors are shoving our throats with exams and assignments. So in between studying, classes & meetings, go visit the lovely UREC that you pay for in your Student Fees every semester. (Fun Fact: You're currently paying $45/sem for free membership).
3. Talk. To your professors, to your TA's, to your classmates, to your friends, to your parents and your counselors! Keep active relationships with everyone you're engaged with. (Long-distance or short). You will need them soon and they will need you. Communication is a necessity for information and growth--so don't be afraid of it.
4. Evaluate your stress level. Everyone in college is stressed about something. Write out everything that is currently overwhelming your week. Then, rate the importance and levels of stress that the items are putting on you. Now, scratch something (or potentially a few things) off this list that are unnecessary stresses. Jobs, relationships, clubs, classes and unnecessary expenses are on the chopping block! Make a (small) goal list & do what it takes to get these items done.
5. Embrace time for YOU. While "me-time" is likely spent watching some over-praised tv show & catching up on social media (as fast as your smartphone will allow), try something different. Pick up a magazine (if a novel is just "too hard") and embrace the quiet time. Go try a yoga or meditation class offered at the UREC. Peruse that Bible or religious app you downloaded two months ago.