By Ekanki Chawla (Contributor) – Email
It is only the second week of school and the coffee sales at the UFV Tim Hortons have already steeply increased. Things are only going to get worse from here on. Your classes will get notably emptier as students start to skip them to finish upcoming papers, your pants will no longer fit you quite right, and it will take you an excessive amount of time to find a seat in the stacks. All while you continue to drown in schoolwork.
However, there is still time to learn. It’s the little things that add up to make a difference, so here are some simple tips and tricks.
Exercise
It’s great for getting your heart pumping. Not only does it make you healthier and more energetic, but the blood pumping to your brain helps you focus more and do a lot better in university. Exercise is great for improving memory and lifting your mood by releasing endorphins. Ideally, you should start every single morning with some exercise. As busy students, though, it may seem like there are more important things to do than getting fit, but 15 minutes is really not a lot of time. If you wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual and do a quick workout at home your day will go a lot better than usual. There are numerous free apps like 7 Minute Workout and Sworkit which do a good job of getting your heart rate up in just a short amount of time — ideal for students like you and I.
SLEEP
Don’t underestimate the value of it. Always aim for at least seven hours of sleep. It is absolutely crucial for your health. Not getting the recommended seven hours leads to impairment in your cognitive and decision-making skills. In addition, it also dramatically increases your chances of common injuries and weakens your immune system, making you much more likely to catch that nasty bug going around.
Socialize
Talk to the people you sit next to in your classes, because social support is vital for mental health. It can be uplifting to learn that your neighbour is just as confused as you are. Also important: the two of you can work together on solving problems for assignments and projects. Your peers can help you strengthen good study habits, so branch out. Try to make a friend in every class. Connecting with other students and making valuable friendships can help you so much by relieving your stress and easing feelings of loneliness. Having a social life can prove to be a stepping stone to good health.
Spend time outside in the sun
Take a break and go for a walk outside with your friends between classes. Plan a picnic with them. As students in the winter semester, the idea of bundling up under some blankets in the comfort of a heater at home sounds quite pleasing. However, it is very vital for you to get your daily dose of vitamin D from sunlight. The vitamin, manufactured in our bodies only upon the absorption of sunlight, is necessary for normal growth and development of bones, as well as improving our resistance against certain diseases. So don’t forget to go outside and get some sun and fresh air.
These four tips are your key to a successful semester. Follow them all, and you are guaranteed a healthier sense of self. Good luck for this semester — make it a good one!
