Cases of mental health problems and obesity among college students are on the rise, and an urgent lifestyle adjustment is needed. Being a college student in this century can be complicated, with numerous distractions and complicated assignments. Many students are forced to juggle between classwork, academic assignments, personal responsibilities, and employment. In the process, they tend to forget to take care of themselves. The outcome has been an increase in the rate of mental and physical health problems among college students.
Research shows that only two-thirds of college admissions students graduate, with many people choosing to dropout in the first year. While the challenges facing learners are many, most of them can be solved by living healthy and responsible lives. In this article, we highlight some of the lifestyle habits of successful students. The goal is to offer tips on overcoming challenges and thriving during their time on campus.
Plan Your Diet and Eat Healthily
The most crucial lifestyle tip you can ever get as a college student is to eat healthily. According to research, many students struggle with avoidable diseases and overweight problems. These can be prevented by checking what you eat. A healthy diet should be balanced and should be free from carbonated drinks and fast foods.
Of course, we understand that eating healthy meals can be challenging for students as most operate within tight budgets. The good news is that you don’t need to spend exorbitantly to have a healthy meal. There are creative food options that you could try, including incorporating fruits and vegetables in your meals.
The secret to maintaining a healthy dietary lifestyle is planning your meals ahead of time. This will save you time while improving your decision making. Check your portions, and avoid fast foods. If possible, prepare your own meals and always have some healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up.
Drink Lots of Water
Conventional wisdom suggests that water is life. This is completely true, particularly for the busy college student. You need to keep your body hydrated and your skin flawless. This requires that you take plenty of water. Drinking water also helps you fight the urge to binge eat. Take at least eight glasses of water every day. You could carry a water bottle with you around campus. Avoid sugary or sweetened drinks as much as possible.
Maintain a Clean and Organized Room
Another important lifestyle tip that college students should always remember concerns neatness. As your college life demands continue to grow, you will often find yourself in a hurry. You need to find your notes and study materials when you need them, hence the need to be neat and organized. Keep your resources in files or boxes, organized according to type and subjects.
Also, clean your room often, disinfecting to fight germs and infections. Make sure to wipe the dust off surfaces and doorknobs. Being clean and organized has also been shown to be good for students’ mental health.
Work on Your Time Management Skills
Many students choose to drop out of college because they cannot handle the rigorous demands of academic life. Apart from working on multiple complicated assignments, many people also choose to get part-time jobs, making life even more frustrating.
If you are going to thrive in college, you need to improve your time management tips. Make it a habit to plan ahead, scheduling time for activities and prioritize. Start with important projects that are almost due, and always create space to rest between tasks. Of course, there will be times when you feel less motivated or overwhelmed with the sheer amount of work required. In such instances, there is always the option to buy an essay from professional writers online.
Remain Active and Exercise Regularly
With technology and assignments taking up much of students’ time, exercise and physical activity are often ignored. The implications of college students’ increasingly sedentary lifestyles are serious, with reports showing that about 20% of students in the United States are either obese or overweight. The health consequences are dire and include an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health problems. Other than diet, physical activity is an effective way to fight unhealthy weight gain and remain healthy. Of course, you don’t have to join a gym to achieve your physical activity goals. Even taking walks in the morning or riding a bike to class can be enough.
In this article, we have explored some useful lifestyle tips for college students to consider. It is important to practice self-care and work on your social support system. Most importantly, always make sure to get enough sleep and drink lots of water.