Being in college can be frustrating for the first few months. Students have assigments to deal with, new relationships to form, and financial hurdles to overcome. Your likelihood of success will depend on, among other things, your ability to adjust to your new environment. Here are a few tips to get you going.
Deal with Homesickness Early
One of the most common challenges college students face during the transition from high school is homesickness. According to a recent study, more than 80% of learners struggle with homesickness to varying degrees during their initial year on campus. Homesickness is your body’s natural way of telling you that you miss your familiar surroundings and loved ones. It is normal and only becomes a problem when it starts to interfere with your academics and ability to adjust to college life.
While there is no quick fix to homesickness, coping starts with recognizing that many other students are struggling with similar challenges and that the feelings will go away with time. In the meantime, find ways to adjust to your campus environment by getting more involved in college activities. Get out of your room to find new friends and explore new interests. You can call home once in a while as long as it doesn’t interfere with your ability to adjust to college life.
Work on Time Management
Many students making the transition to college complain that they have too much work to do and barely any time to rest or socialize. Of course, the college workload may be considerably more than what you were used to in high school. The assignments may be more complex and there will be more projects to finalize within urgent deadlines.
Attending classes, studying for exams, socializing with friends, and taking time to unwind can quickly fill up your schedule and leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you frequently find yourself wishing you had more time to work on tasks, just know you are not alone. According to research, 30% of students who quit school indicate hectic schedules as their main reason for dropping out.
Effectively managing time means creating and following a schedule. If you are juggling work and studies, prioritize what needs to be done and try to follow your schedule. Setting reminders and using digital calendars will help with time management. Start with the most urgent tasks before going to those that have relatively more time.
Avoid Procrastination
College life tends to be less structured than high school, meaning that students need to remain motivated and disciplined. Even with so many assignments to complete and some students having to juggle work and academic obligations, procrastination is still common among students. Here, procrastination means delaying tasks and decisions, either intentionally or unintentionally. Putting off things you should be working on results in stress and can have serious negative outcomes on your mental health and academic performance.
According to research, more than 80% of students report procrastinating to some degree regularly. Students procrastinate for various reasons, including the fear of disapproval, fear of failure, and lack of motivation. Insufficient sleep and mental exhaustion can also cause you to procrastinate. A custom nursing essay writing service can be helpful if have too many assignments to complete within a short time.
To beat procrastination, you need to establish routines. Routines will help you deal with fear and will provide the motivation you need to thrive. It also helps to break larger and more complex tasks into small simple chunks. Practice positive self-talk and be kind to yourself.
Learn Money Management
Financial challenges can make college life stressful and dull. According to research, a third of college dropouts terminate their studies because they cannot keep up with the rising tuition rates and exorbitant accommodations. Understand that while managing your money is important, it isn’t easy. You should create and follow a realistic budget to help guide your expenditure. You also need to budget for food, savings, and splurges.
Financial management also means tracking your spending and reviewing your budget. Understand that your budget is meant to guide you and should be flexible enough to accommodate challenges and emergencies. Create a direct deposit for your savings and make sure to use credit cards wisely.
Healthy Meals
You need energy to keep you motivated and active through those hectic schedules and lengthy lectures. Eating healthy meals gives you the energy you need while boosting your immune function and keeping you in shape. According to experts, eating habits combined with exercise are crucial factors when it comes to weight management.
Students need to understand that healthy eating on a budget is possible if you have a meal plan. Decide what you want to eat early in the week and make the necessary purchases. Having a meal plan ensures that you think about the nutritious value of the food content and spend within your means. Always include fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity is one of the most important forms of self-care for college students. Research shows that being physically active improves your mental health, help with weight management, and boost your immune function. Regular exercise will also enhance the quality of your sleep and help you cope with stress. So, if you want to enhance your bone strength, boost your immune system, and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, set aside at least 20 minutes each day for exercise.
Conclusion
Thriving in college requires students to be more organized. Prioritize self-care by eating healthy meals or exercising regularly. You also need to avoid multitasking and prioritize one task at a time. Keep your living space clean and organized and schedule breaks to unwind.