Face it: your life changes once you start college. You need to make time for classes, family, friends, your SO, dorm-keeping, and have personal time all without collapsing on the floor to cry yourself to sleep—well, to hibernate until the end of the semester, really. Fear not, here are some tips that can help you survive:
Steer clear of the Freshman 15
If you’re a burger enthusiast, like me, you know just how hard it is to stay away from greasy fast-food meals. DON’T DIET! Rather, exchange your usual meals for ones that are slightly lower in calories and eat smaller portions. A French fry never killed anybody, but know your limits.
If you want to stay fit, check out a local gym, look for physical activities on your campus, or make a group with your friends and catch up while going for a walk. If you prefer working out by yourself but don’t know how or where to start, check out workout apps (Nike+ Training Club is my current favorite) that can guide you and help you stay motivated. Taking a class on the third floor? Ditch the elevator and use the stairs instead, if you can. It’s a small change, but you’ll feel the difference in the long run.
Organized room, organized mind
By keeping your space clean, you’re making sure that your surrounding area doesn’t distract you when you’re doing homework. Keep your kitchen tidy by cleaning the dishes right after you’re done with them, and place them where they belong so they don’t bug you in the morning. Hang or fold your clothes instead of throwing them on the chair (you know which chair I’m talking about); that way, you avoid having wrinkled clothes. Make sure you throw your dirty clothes in the hamper so your dorm doesn’t smell like a year-old dirty sock and especially so you won’t have to ask for a minute just to pick your clothes off the floor every time you bring someone over.
Give yourself some love
NEWSFLASH: Your body is going to college along with you. In other words, the stress, which college oh so lovingly gifts us, is felt by your body mentally, physically, and emotionally. Instead of asking life to give you a break, you should give yourself a break. Make a date with yourself and put it on your agenda (SAVE THE DATE!), and do something to help you relax and unwind, you hard worker, you. Take good care of your body every day by staying hydrated, getting a good night’s sleep, and eating right. Keep a water bottle on you at all times and take sips to help keep your skin hydrated. Take care of your skin and avoid breakouts by using a facial cleanser or body wash that has salicylic acid as one of the ingredients. After cleansing your skin, use a moisturizer to make your skin radiant and use high-SPF sunscreen to avoid sun damage.
Author: Amarilis González Rivera, student at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus studying Art Education. Contact her on Twitter at @amygonriveraxp.