5 Things to Borrow from Your 5-year-old Self

Remember when you were five? Things were good back then. No responsibilities, no worries, no lectures to attend… Those were good times. There was a particular way of life that you had when you were five that just seemed to work. Here are some things you stopped doing when you were five, but that you probably shouldn’t have.

1. Naps

We’ll start with something easy. We all know sometimes bad decisions are made. Sometimes these decisions lead directly to someone, say, staying up until 6 a.m. to study for the final they have at 11 a.m. the next morning (that same morning? things start to get confusing at that point). Not every one’s case is that extreme, nor should it be. But sometimes you just have to carve out some space in your schedule (an hour or two between classes works really well) and some space on this campus (your dorm or a friend’s if you’re super attached to your dignity or whatever— once you get past that the options are endless), and have a good cat nap.  

2. A Schedule

If you want to upgrade to the next level of showing your sleep schedule who’s boss, consider a self-enforced bedtime. Now, I know no one wants to be the one to leave the party to take their dentures out and tuck themselves in, but sleep is crucial to your mental health and physical well-being, and when you look over your 3 a.m. essay the next morning, you’ll understand why you need it. In fact, if you’re planning well, you should be writing significantly fewer 3 a.m. essays, which is a blessing to both you and your professor. Beyond that, a well-kept schedule will make sure you know when your weeks are packed, when you have time to party and when to start begging for extensions or taking some things off your plate.

3. Snacks

Hangry is more than a feeling. It’s a state of being, and it’s one that you should try to avoid. A good snack can save your reputation and maybe even a few friendships. Keeping your energy up during lectures can also save you from missing a dozen slides while thinking about what you want for lunch. Snacks in and of itself is a very broad term. A veritable world of opportunity. If you want low cost, low nutritional value, 7-11 and Mac’s Place are there to support you. If you’re gearing up for summer or trying not to add on to the Freshman 15, healthy snacks are also affordable and easy to find. I would recommend heading to a grocery store and purchasing and pre-preparing your own with fruit, or granola or whatever pleases you. Just be sure to go after you’ve had a snack; your debit card will thank you.

4. A Coloring Book

There’s something so soothing about picking up some colored pencils or crayons and filling in a coloring book. They’ve got adult coloring books nowadays, with those brilliantly complex mandalas and what have you, but I think there’s something to be said for a solid Winnie the Pooh coloring book aimed at children. If coloring isn’t your thing, feel free to try something else you enjoyed as a kid like Legos, or puzzles. The toy aisle is your oyster.    

5. Parental Advice

Call your parent or guardian. Even if you really feel like they have no good advice for you, call. When was the last time you called for something other than hinting that you could use a little extra money? There’s a good chance that the people who care about you, whether that be your parents, grandparents, extended family or a teacher, have something to offer you by way of insight. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, less than nothing wrong with reminding people that you love them.

• childhood
• college
• coloring
• funny
• kid
• LOL
• naps
• parents
• schedule
• smu
• southern methodist university