College is a whirlwind, but Her Campus is here to help! Keep it all together with these tips.
1. Get a planner, and use it.
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This is crucial. Writing down assignments, events, meetings and everything in between keeps you organized and on top of what is going on in your life. Personally, I love Bullet Journaling and Google Calendar has recently become my best friend, but there are so many amazing (and cute!) planners to choose from.
2. Stay active.
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Everyone knows that exercise releases your endorphins, and endorphins make you happy, and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands! (Thanks Elle Woods!) Seriously though, you may lack the motivation to roll out of bed and get to the gym after a long day of classes, but getting a sweat on can take your mind of off everything else in your life
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
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Dietitians recommend drinking half your body weight in fluid ounces of water every day. For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, you should aim to drink around 65 fluid ounces of water daily. Since our bodies are 60% water, staying hydrated can help your body function at its best. Your entire system will be rejuvenated and have you glowing from the inside out! Having water bottles with straws and super cute designs make it easier to keep taking those sips throughout the day, and help reduce waste from disposable water bottles! The best way to check how hydrated you are is to peek at the color of your urine. The clearer, the better.
4. Eat your veggies.
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Naturally, college means eating a lot of pizza; but don’t let that be the staple food of your diet! Eating whole, unprocessed foods (think: fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans) gives you more energy, leaves you feeling lighter and provides you with all the nutrients your body needs to function properly. Following a proper, balanced diet can also help you avoid the “Freshman Fifteen”.
4. Choose your friends wisely.
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We’ve heard it said that you are what you eat- but you’re also who you hang out with. Your friends are the people who you will ultimately spend the most time with in college, so their traits are sure to rub off on you somehow. Make sure you surround yourself with people that lift you up, work hard, and inspire you, and you can’t go wrong. Remember that college is full of amazing, different people and you shouldn’t limit yourself to the people you met at orientation, or even your hallmates.
5. Be a local tourist.
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Here at Mason, we have the privilege of being just a metro ride away from the heart of our nation’s capitol. With Smithsonian Museums, cat cafes, festivals and events, it’s safe to say the city is buzzing to be explored. After all, you may not live here forever, so get to know the coolest and cutest (for the Insta) places to hang around campus, Fairfax and DC to make your college experience more enjoyable.
6. Take time for yourself.
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Life as a college student is BUSY. Between classes, social events, extracurricular activities and work, it may feel like you never have a moment to breathe. Taking time to slow down, enjoy the quiet and be alone is extremely beneficial to your health and overall well-being. Being around people all the time gets exhausting, so intentional alone time helps you recharge, refresh and even get to know yourself better.
College may feel like a time in which everyone is struggling, but you don’t have to. Invest in yourself this semester with these tips and you’ll be sure to thrive, collegiettes!