Snoozing your alarm until you can’t possibly delay leaving any later, throwing open the curtains: the sun has hardly risen, lobbing on a knitted jumper, and dragging yourself through the drizzly Meadows to make it to your 10am tutorial. Another failed attempt of a productive day in the library with far too many breaks in the café, accompanied by a visit to a lecture or two, pesto pasta for dinner, all rounded off by a few drinks at your local. The same again tomorrow?
Admit it, we all know this routine (or at least part of it) too well.
Whether you’re new to university or returning, this is such a formative period of your life. Yet the most valuable lesson I have learnt is the importance of remembering that this is life too; not solely university. Getting caught up in academic pressures and social endeavours is easily done; for this reason establishing healthy routines early on in the academic year is crucial for achieving a balanced life.
My advice begins with getting your hands on a planner of sorts and scheduling your days. I don’t know anyone who enjoys early starts but I’ve found working a rough 9-5 day and taking evenings off – particularly before deadline season emerges and steals your time – to be a productive, and attainable routine. Use your time wisely by scheduling in breaks, ideally with a change of scene and a form of movement.
This leaves you with evenings and a multitude of options as to how to spend your time: a relaxing movie night in or, on the contrary a social – a personal favourite being a pub quiz, alternatively a form of exercise is good for both the mind and body, go on a run with a friend or squeeze in a trip to the gym. Commit to these plans, or lack of – you’ll feel better for it. Remember that food is fuel! Check out our ‘Food and Cooking’ section if you’re needing a source of inspiration as prioritising a nutritious diet equates to a great proportion of leading a healthy life.
It goes without saying that healthy lifestyles will not only look different for everyone, but will also fluctuate; we’ve all had our fair share of library all-nighters, but keeping these to a minimum by founding these balanced habits from the get-go is key. When in doubt, and if you do find yourself needing help, reach out to friends, family, and the university support system.
Photo by Jannis Brandt on Unsplash.