By At last, the clock strikes midnight and your 10-page theology paper is finished.
After grueling hours of non-stop writing and procrastination, how does one celebrate such an academic feat?
Why, with a pint of ice cream from Van’s.
Rather, that’s how you planned to celebrate.
In truth, it’s actually 2 a.m., you already splurged and ate Taco Bell for dinner, drank two Red Bulls to complete your paper, didn’t have time to shower, and you can’t go buy ice cream because your chemistry lecture starts in just five and a half hours.
Your day is only two hours in and you’re already exhausted.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with some tips and insight on taking care of your
health and well-being while balancing a busy college student schedule.
As a student, this is important because taking care of yourself prevents burnout, living a stressful life, and maintaining overall health.
Tip One: Nutrition
Fueling your body with healthy foods and opting for nutritious dietary options is vital to maintaining your health.
“There are plenty of healthy things you can find to eat on campus,” said Meagan Karstetter, a sophomore business major from Moses Lake, Washington. “The secret is creating the meal you like from the different options they provide. I will make a salad and then put chicken breasts on top and add some rice. It’s all about being creative, especially if you’re a picky eater.”
A few things to keep in mind are the variety of healthy options on campus.
The STAC provides readily available options such as the salad bar, fresh fruit stands, lean protein, and whole grain foods.
While in your rush to class, be sure to stop by the STAC for a quick snack at the salad bar and check out the vegan and vegetarian options as well!
Tip Two: Minimizing Stress
Using your resources and effective planning can greatly reduce stress.
Resources such as the Wellness Center or Counseling Services are great examples of readily available on-campus help that Carroll provides.
An additional resource that Carroll offers is called MindTap.
MindTap, created by Beth Demmons, enhances students’ skills and abilities by using evidence-based research to educate students.
The skills training happens every Tuesday throughout the academic year. Some of the trainings include things like consent, suicide awareness, safe alcohol use, and many others.
Finding a routine that works for you is also an important step if your time is crunched.
According to an article from Stetson University titled “101 Wellness Tips for College Students,” most college students find it difficult to maintain a healthy personal well-being due to limited time in their schedules.
It is important to create a personal routine that already incorporates self-care. This can look like several different things depending on your preferences. For example, incorporating self-care can look like scheduling an afternoon walk into your day, a 15-minute nap, or even a morning coffee.
Amid the college storm, one of the most significant tips to keep in mind is the importance of connections.
Having emotional support allows you to share your concerns and feelings with others who may be going through the same thing. Surround yourself with other students who are living through the same things you are facing.
With connections comes social engagement which not only reduces feelings of loneliness but also offers a different insight into what you may be going through.
Having a listening ear and support through these years is crucial. Be sure to involve yourself in as many social events as possible.
Study partners can also come from making connections which can be very helpful for school.
“I think having a study partner is beneficial for both people,” said Delaney Hasquet, a junior nursing major from Butte, Montana. “It’s a great way to learn the material, but also it helps to have someone that can hold you accountable.”
Carroll offers several events that students can attend, such as movie nights in the Flex Theatre, Sunday night Mass, bonfire night, and many workshop opportunities. These are perfect ways to reach out and connect with friends and students to grow your support system.
It’s important to remember that we only have so much control over our health and well-being, but you are never expected to conquer everything on your own.
Professional help – or even familial, parental, your friends, or professors – is always accessible and more than willing to help walk you through whatever challenges life throws at you.
By using these tips, students can maximize their abilities in and out of the classroom in order to be more successful overall.
