Physical health is an important part of everyday life, but without a sound mental health, it’s almost impossible to stay fit and eat right. In college, it’s hard to always stay positive. Classes are stressful, home can be far away, dorms can be lonely, and studying can seem endless. Everyone faces these issues on a daily basis, but staying happy can be an easy task with the right set of tips to keep a smile on your face.
One of the most important things to do is establish a sleep schedule that gives you a consistent and healthy amount almost every night. According to the Mayo Clinic, a young adult should be getting around 7-8 hours of sleep per night. This can be tough in college. Between studying and late weekend nights, most college students do not average anything between these benchmarks. Time-management is definitely a key tip in getting the suggested amount once or twice a week. On nights when the workload isn’t too crazy, don’t stay up late marathoning Netflix or staring at Facebook. Take those opportunities to turn the lights off early.
Also, arrange your schedule based on your personal tendencies. If you know you don’t get homework done until the evenings or you like to go out on the weeknights, plan your classes to start later in the afternoons. Even if you go to bed late some nights, you’ll still be able to obtain a few more hours of sleep than you would starting class at 8am. This may not be a luxury attainable for everyone since some classes are only offered a certain times, but definitely think about the timing of your class schedule before you commit to it. Lets face it, some nights 7 to 8 hours just is not possible, but getting on a consistent sleep schedule with a healthy amount can make a world of difference in your mood. Sleep gives you the energy you need to see things clearly. It is a key part of your life that can keep you happy.
Homesickness is always prevalent, especially at Tulane. Most students travel more than 900 miles to come here so you’re never the only one that wishes they could have Sunday dinner at home some weekends or hates missing their little sister’s dance recital. There are ways, though, that can keep homesickness to a minimum. Technology gives us the ability to see our families any time we want to, even if it’s just through a screen. FaceTime and Skype can fill the voids of a lonely dorm room for the time being. Scheduling some time to say hi to everyone at home can boost your spirits on the lowest days. Utilizing today’s technology can mean the difference between a smile and tears. All college students get lonely and family can always help.
School work can be a major component to unhappiness and a poor mental health. College is difficult and there is no way around that, but there are ways to minimize the mental toll that hard courses can take on you. Organizing when you have tests and when projects are due can mean the difference between studying a week in advance and a frantic all-nighter in Howie T. Less naps and more productivity are also a way to help. Getting your work done in the afternoon hours before dinner can make you so much happier and less stressed. When nightfall hits, it’s easy to get worried about finishing that math problem or chapter outline, but if you do it beforehand, you’ll be less likely to freak out at night. The most important thing to do, in my opinion though, is to study what you love. Not every required class may be interesting, but if you enjoy your majors and their overall concepts, you’ll find that you’ll be a lot happier. For all the students in their first two years, don’t be afraid to change your mind. Changing your major now is much easier than changing your career and can create a lifetime of happiness.
Unhappiness isn’t always easy to conquer in college. Some days are harder than others. Following these tips can ease your mind and help your overall mental health. Being fit isn’t just about keeping your bones and muscles strong, but your mind too. Keeping your head clean and happy makes everyday easier. There are some stressors that are unavoidable, but there are ways to ease them.