Hello Everyone,
I am so ready for the holiday season, BUT let’s talk about November as a Hawkeye!!!
It’s probably the hardest month for any college student, not only have we all been at school for three months plus, and we have been in the full swing of Midterms since October, and you’re just tired. But I have all the tips and tricks for you, incoming students and current students. So let’s keep our energy up with some of these tricks.
Something to stay hydrated!!! WATER! Or a drink that has GPT hydrating qualities is super important to keep your body feeling alive. Water helps you stay in a good mindset. If you are hydrated, it makes a huge difference. Also, reusable water bottles make life easier, and the colors are great, so bring that (I will say I love to look at Target’s selection, I probably have too many water bottles at this point).
Next, you need to eat healthy. In college, it is so easy to go a full day without eating because you have classes, work, and friends. So plan out your meals throughout the day!!! I like to even see if my friends want to go to our on-campus dining halls and mini shops/cafes. My go-to lunch spot is Food For Thought Cafe in the library. It’s by all my classes and that way I don’t have to sit in a dining hall and study, but instead I can study in the bustle, but also the quiet of the library. (They serve Starbucks refreshers, which are my favorite)
TAKE A BREAK! Please, if you have been studying for over an hour, take a 15-minute break. (I always say 45 on and 15 off) meaning you study with no distractions, then after 45 minutes I take a 15-minute break, stand up, give my cat some love, if I am in my room, or I scroll my Instagram or read or write if I am in the library!!
Next, take nights off! I get that you want to pass classes, we all do, but you can be on all the time, take a night to watch TV, and just rot with some unhealthy snacks, and because it’s cold, make a hot herbal tea or hot coco and just relax and if you dont have a TV I like to use my computer or iPad.
Last but NOT least SLEEP!!! There are so many studies that show you retain information better when you sleep. So on week days try to plan accordingly if you have a 8 am class go to bed by 10 so you can get up at 7 or so to get to class if you have a 10:30 you can stay up till midnight but honestly its good to try to keep a healthy normal sleep schedule it is a life saver when you out of the blue have to stay up late one night (because your finishing your paper you forgot about!!!).
November might be hard, but college is fun. You’re in a world full of people who help you learn who you are. Also, the university has great resources to help you study, keep your mental health in check, and we have so many support systems in place for you to succeed. You will get through these hard months, and when break rolls around, you will be so proud of yourself!!!
Sending love and take care of yourself!!!
Cheers,
Rose Kelly
