By: Sydney McKinnon

Being a college student ultimately means that you will need to find a way to balance being productive, and staying healthy both mentally and physically. 

The workload of college classes can be overwhelming, especially for freshmen who are not used to this new chapter in life. Luckily, if you feel like your schedule is so busy that you cannot prioritize yourself, there are many tips and tricks that are helpful when finding a healthy balance. 

The most important concept to remember is that your health is a priority, both physically and mentally. The worst way to handle college is to act like you can put your health aside just to get through. 

When thinking about your mental health, the best tip is to find a way to stay organized. Using a planner to write down homework and classes can be very helpful, and allows you to see breaks in your schedule. Some students feel like they need to constantly be doing work or studying to keep up with classes. In reality, this mindset will lead to burnout very quickly. Prioritize time for yourself and allow yourself to take breaks where you can. Self-care can be a great way to wind down and give your mind time to rest. This can be in any form such as journaling, taking a nap, or even just logging off and watching some television. 

Current Student, Abigail Bowe discussed how she likes to spend time for her mental health. “Walking is a great way for me to decompress, and sometimes I even like to socialize with friends while doing so,” Bowe mentions. She added that it helps her get her mind off of classes and allows her to take some time to wind down. 

Pay attention to your daily routine and find what causes you to feel the most stressed. Is it having to talk to people you don’t know very well? Maybe it’s a really difficult assignment that is due soon. It could even be as simple as feeling rushed in the mornings which makes the rest of the day more stressful. When you find the points in your day that cause the greatest impact on your mental health, you can put your focus on that and find ways to lessen the stress of your current schedule. 

Bowe mentioned that her biggest stressor is managing all of her assignments, so she writes out to-do lists before she tries to accomplish any task. “I like to prioritize my to-do lists because I have a lot of homework and it helps me figure out where to start,” says Bowe. 

As for physical health, it can be very beneficial for students to find ways to move their bodies. Many students who exercise regularly feel like it has a positive impact on their mental health and their success in school. Even if you do not have time to do a full gym workout while in college, find time to take a walk, do some yoga, or even just stretch for a few minutes each day. 

For physical health, Bowe finds that if she does physical activity at least one time a day, it gives her energy and makes her feel happier for the rest of the day. Bowe frequently goes to Anytime Fitness, walks around campus, or even does some morning yoga. 

It is proven that getting more sleep, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can lower stress levels and make students feel better each day. Physical Exercise can lead to better mental health but don’t forget that if you are still having trouble finding ways to manage your health, there are always resources for Wesleyan Students. Talk to some friends or even take advantage of the wonderful counseling services that are offered. 

Most of all, remember that no matter how stressful your workload is, your professors want you to succeed. Talk to them about how to better manage your assignments, and find a healthy way to succeed.