By: Joanie Wood
It’s the middle of senior year, and before you know it, you’ll be moving into your freshman dormitory and beginning the next chapter of your educational journey at college. It is completely normal to feel excited or nervous about this upcoming step. I have an obligation to tell you the truth: college is a lot. It’s an environment that will elicit joy and excitement one moment, as your friend group is playing ultimate frisbee on the green, and sheer terror the next, as you realize you’re currently missing math class to do so. There is so much beautiful chaos that is waiting for you on the other side of matriculation, and I can only hope that you fall in love with your campus, experience a fervor for knowledge, and go through personal development along the way.
I want the absolute best for your future self, so here are 10 tips I wish I would’ve prioritized before entering my freshman fall at Dartmouth. I hope you’ll consider implementing these in college (and perhaps the rest of high school). I feel as though establishing and keeping up with these habits is contributing to my academic success, personal growth, mental stability, and overall ensuring a well-rounded college experience.
1. Start with a healthy sleep schedule
When you arrive at college, it is likely that you’ll feel overwhelmed (in a good way) by the diverse opportunities and people surrounding you. There will be many more extraneous factors vying for your attention than in high school, so it can be easy to get carried away with long conversations, staying up late studying, or hanging out with friends. However, the biggest determinant of student success is hours of sleep, so it is better if you prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep nightly to ensure you have enough energy to get you through each exciting day.
2. Eat consistently, stay hydrated, and do your best to have a balanced diet
This may initially seem like a no-brainer, but eating consistently and drinking plenty of water makes a significant difference in your energy and motivation levels. You may be overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) at first by the options at your school’s dining hall(s), and though it isn’t necessary to eat healthy always, prioritize having a source of protein, carbohydrates, and fats with every meal (everything is acceptable in moderation, so don’t shy away from trying those dining hall cookies, either).
3. Incorporate some form of movement daily
Most schools require a form of PE credit for graduation, but even if yours doesn’t, moving your body regularly is a great way to regulate emotion, improve circulation, and support your health.
4. Go outside/spend time in the sun
Similar to movement, receiving sun exposure daily can facilitate a healthy lifestyle, supplement your mood, and serve as a source of vitamin D. Especially if you attend an institution with limited hours of daylight, prioritizing sun exposure can ward off seasonal depression and other situational ailments.
1. Start with a healthy sleep schedule
When you arrive at college, it is likely that you’ll feel overwhelmed (in a good way) by the diverse opportunities and people surrounding you. There will be many more extraneous factors vying for your attention than in high school, so it can be easy to get carried away with long conversations, staying up late studying, or hanging out with friends. However, the biggest determinant of student success is hours of sleep, so it is better if you prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep nightly to ensure you have enough energy to get you through each exciting day.
2. Eat consistently, stay hydrated, and do your best to have a balanced diet
This may initially seem like a no-brainer, but eating consistently and drinking plenty of water makes a significant difference in your energy and motivation levels. You may be overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) at first by the options at your school’s dining hall(s), and though it isn’t necessary to eat healthy always, prioritize having a source of protein, carbohydrates, and fats with every meal (everything is acceptable in moderation, so don’t shy away from trying those dining hall cookies, either).
3. Incorporate some form of movement daily
Most schools require a form of PE credit for graduation, but even if yours doesn’t, moving your body regularly is a great way to regulate emotion, improve circulation, and support your health.
4. Go outside/spend time in the sun
Similar to movement, receiving sun exposure daily can facilitate a healthy lifestyle, supplement your mood, and serve as a source of vitamin D. Especially if you attend an institution with limited hours of daylight, prioritizing sun exposure can ward off seasonal depression and other situational ailments.
This picture is from a farm near campus where I spent a Saturday afternoon unwinding.
5. Attend office hours or join a study group
It is likely that the study techniques you employed in high school may not directly apply to college work, and one of the best ways to figure out how to modify your tactics is to attend office hours and speak with your professors directly. Study groups are another great way to observe how peers are approaching their coursework and are the perfect opportunity to bond with students with similar academic interests.
6. Get involved and try new things
Don’t expect to have all of your interests figured out at 18 years old. I personally feel that the best way to discover what excites you is to submerge yourself in different environments and decipher what speaks to you and what doesn’t. Go out for the club hockey team, try crocheting, or join an acapella group on campus if you’re even remotely interested. You never know what or who you may encounter in the process.
7. Be organized
Okay, I know I just suggested that you throw yourself into numerous, diverse opportunities, but remember to seek balance in all things. Prioritize your academics, but leave time for your extracurriculars, friends, family, and yourself. I suggest logging your upcoming activities in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or a paper planner to ensure you don’t miss out on what’s important to you. Start slow (especially your first term). It is better to add more activities to your schedule after you’ve figured out how to balance your newly independent lifestyle than being too frivolous at the start and being forced to drop clubs later.
8. Reflection
Each day, allow yourself to unwind with some sort of reflective or appreciative activity. Whether that’s journaling, praying, meditating, or listening to music, give yourself a chance to unload from the day’s stimulation.
My Joy Journal. I consistently write down things that make me smile, happy, or appreciative to keep me grounded and thankful.
9. Call home
I know that your life on campus is going to be awesome, but please prioritize calling your parents, siblings, or whomever else holds a piece of your heart. It can be so easy to get caught up in both campus excitement and stress, and forget to speak to your family, but leaving home for the first time is an adjustment for everyone. Update them—ideally weekly—and I promise that both of you will be glad you did.
10. Patience
College is an entirely new environment and stage in your life. Give yourself some grace and recognize that it’s completely acceptable to not find your life-long friends immediately, to do poorly on a test, or to feel out of place from time to time. You are learning, growing, and developing– just as your peers are. Extend patience into every situation you encounter because you are more than capable (and more than deserving) of a college experience you’ll adore.
5. Attend office hours or join a study group
It is likely that the study techniques you employed in high school may not directly apply to college work, and one of the best ways to figure out how to modify your tactics is to attend office hours and speak with your professors directly. Study groups are another great way to observe how peers are approaching their coursework and are the perfect opportunity to bond with students with similar academic interests.
6. Get involved and try new things
Don’t expect to have all of your interests figured out at 18 years old. I personally feel that the best way to discover what excites you is to submerge yourself in different environments and decipher what speaks to you and what doesn’t. Go out for the club hockey team, try crocheting, or join an acapella group on campus if you’re even remotely interested. You never know what or who you may encounter in the process.
7. Be organized
Okay, I know I just suggested that you throw yourself into numerous, diverse opportunities, but remember to seek balance in all things. Prioritize your academics, but leave time for your extracurriculars, friends, family, and yourself. I suggest logging your upcoming activities in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or a paper planner to ensure you don’t miss out on what’s important to you. Start slow (especially your first term). It is better to add more activities to your schedule after you’ve figured out how to balance your newly independent lifestyle than being too frivolous at the start and being forced to drop clubs later.
8. Reflection
Each day, allow yourself to unwind with some sort of reflective or appreciative activity. Whether that’s journaling, praying, meditating, or listening to music, give yourself a chance to unload from the day’s stimulation.
My Joy Journal. I consistently write down things that make me smile, happy, or appreciative to keep me grounded and thankful.
9. Call home
I know that your life on campus is going to be awesome, but please prioritize calling your parents, siblings, or whomever else holds a piece of your heart. It can be so easy to get caught up in both campus excitement and stress, and forget to speak to your family, but leaving home for the first time is an adjustment for everyone. Update them—ideally weekly—and I promise that both of you will be glad you did.
10. Patience
College is an entirely new environment and stage in your life. Give yourself some grace and recognize that it’s completely acceptable to not find your life-long friends immediately, to do poorly on a test, or to feel out of place from time to time. You are learning, growing, and developing– just as your peers are. Extend patience into every situation you encounter because you are more than capable (and more than deserving) of a college experience you’ll adore.
Comments
Post a Comment