Congratulations on making it to BU campus – and to university in general! Every single student has worked extremely hard to get here. I can only imagine the countless nights of studying, cramming and stress combined among all of us. Not only did you have to complete college applications, but that came with hours of schoolwork, extracurriculars, sports, performance arts or part-time work.
Once you get here, there are a variety of pathways you could take. Some decide to take it easy and focus on their social life or explore the city. Some decide to stay indoors and live an independent adult life for the first time by grocery shopping and adulting.
For many others (including me), I’ve kept trucking along into college. I am involved in several clubs, try to make time for friends and fit in grocery shopping and eating out when I can. I feel like I can overextend sometimes; my friends are always lecturing me about sleeping more or eating well.
So, as someone who understands the hustle and bustle of daily life as a BU student, here are some tips and reminders for any of you that feel like you need a mental health check.
- Drink your water!
I definitely forget to drink enough water (don’t blame me … it makes my stomach feel too full). However, it is definitely a habit that needs to be a conscious effort. Healthy water intake helps wake your brain up and reduce headaches. And as someone who has had a couple of dehydration spells, that should not be a possible event in your already packed schedule. There are many water bottle refill stations around campus and even fun water flavoring mixes if you hate drinking plain water.
- Take breaks.
The clock strikes midnight. It’s down to the wire, and you have a project or midterm due the next day. You’re wavering between cramming in a bit more work or just calling it a night. Sometimes, when your brain is already fatigued, it’s best to just take a five minute break. I find the pomodoro method to be helpful – 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. This way, you can
pace yourself and reset your train of thought before you burnout. And in the off-chance you find yourself in that “I need to study more before tomorrow’s test” loop, it’s best to put yourself first and go to bed.
- Sleep enough.
This brings me to my last point. Sleep is essential! Nothing makes me happier than climbing into my cozy twin XL bed every night. Although I get six hours of sleep some nights, aiming for eight is optimal. Be realistic and prepare yourself for the days when you can’t take care of yourself fully, but your mental health (and physical health) are the most crucial aspects of college life. If you aren’t healthy, you can’t be the best student you can be!
