Recruiting students from across the U.S., Campus is the new alternative to online community college. We’re on a mission to maximize access to a world-class education to set students up for success no matter what their next step is. Read on to learn about our students’ unique experiences.
Even with every life hack or trick out there that I’ve learned when it comes to navigating college, I feel like I struggle in my everyday routine if I don’t take the time to check in with myself on a personal level. It’s no small feat to take on a mountain of assignments, but when I start to feel really stressed, I sometimes forget that taking care of myself is just as important as staying on top of all of my coursework, if not more. So what are some ways students can manage their needs? These are two of my favorite methods to use in my online college journey.
My Top 2 Tips for Maintaining Your Wellness
1. Prioritize Self-Care
The time and effort you put into getting a degree is a major investment, but that doesn’t mean the work should be at the expense of your mental wellness or health. Prioritizing self-care is essential for success in any online college program. Make sure to give yourself grace as you study and go to class. Incorporating mental health tips for college students into your routine can provide essential breaks to give yourself a mental breather between study sessions. Personally, I like to take 15-minute breaks after working on assignments for about 45 minutes or so.
You also can’t forget about your physical health! Plenty of sleep is a must, even if you feel like that all-nighter is worth it to tackle all of the tasks ahead. Your body and your mind will thank you for taking the time to give yourself a mental reset. Implementing self-care tips for college students such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits (whenever possible) can contribute significantly to maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Even something as simple as making sure you have plenty of water and taking a quick walk outside can be great ways to practice self-care.
When you’re an online student in particular, you probably find yourself sitting at your desk for a good part of the day. Exploring why self-care is important for students, especially those studying online, highlights the need to counteract the sedentary nature of long study sessions at a desk.
Stand up and stretch. Play some music. Meditate or do some breathing exercises. Little things like that can go a long way! Incorporating mental health tips for college students, such as taking breaks to stretch, listen to music, or practice meditation, can enhance focus and reduce stress levels during study sessions.
Utilizing self-care tips for college students, like accessing online emotional support services such as TimelyCare (a resource I have access to as a Campus student), can provide invaluable resources for managing stress and maintaining well-being. They have some great self-care videos that cover stress management, yoga, and meditation - all of which have really helped me center myself.
2. Celebrate Your Achievements
Recognizing the importance of self-care for students, it's essential to celebrate not only academic achievements but also moments of self-care and personal growth along the college journey.
College is a marathon. It’s a long journey that can include a few bumps along the way. That’s why it’s important to celebrate getting over the hurdles between you and your goals every step of the way, even if it’s something as simple as turning in that paper you weren’t too thrilled about.
Touching base with my friends and family on all the progress I’ve made has really helped me to stay motivated throughout my online college experience. I regularly will check in with the friends I made in the program and we’ll all celebrate the work that we’ve put in by hyping each other up and spending some time socializing after all our hard work is finished. But even on the days when it feels like I’m tackling my assignments entirely on my own – or if my friends and family are particularly busy – I like to treat myself in small ways. My guilty pleasure is bubble tea from my local tea shop!
There are tons of ways that you can take the time to reward yourself and praise your successes along the way. Singing and dancing to your favorite songs, having a night out, or treating yourself to an at-home spa day are all just a few great examples that some of my classmates have mentioned in our club meetings! Ultimately, the best way to celebrate is to do whatever makes you feel happy or relaxed. After all, this is one method that is meant to be all about you.
Most Importantly: You’ve Got This!
While we all know that college can be challenging for all students at one point or another, it also comes with opportunities to grow. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed is natural, but don’t forget that you can take on anything if you keep pushing and advocating for yourself. With hard work, dedication, and a few strategies to make time for yourself, you'll be stronger and more confident with every step. So seize your moment and take that leap to help you build a better future – you've got this!
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