Same Place, New Game Plan.
Felicity Edward-Olaniyi
Once more, a large number of young people will start what is thought to be a crucial period in their lives: university. I'm a second-year student who has discovered the importance of developing a routine while going to university the hard way. I hope that these top suggestions might assist you in establishing a healthy and convenient routine, whether you are already a university student or are about to enrol in one.
1. Get a proper sleep schedule
There are a lot of parties and various club events in the first month of university. It can be easy for us to want to stay up late and attend every party available when we first feel free, but repeat after me, "Life in Moderation!" It will eventually catch up to you from all the late nights and early mornings, and when things start to become serious, it will be quite difficult to manage the assignments and still enjoy university. Even though some of them may be a party of a lifetime, you don't have to attend every party. Aim to go to bed at a specific time and adhere to it when lectures start to grow more intense. The same is true for getting up; staying up too late will make it difficult for you to function during the day, make you feel sleepy, and throw off your biological clock.
2. Have a budget and follow it
If you opt to live far from home while attending university, you will be responsible for taking care of yourself, including paying for your housing, food, phone, and transportation costs. It is usual for some people to wind up spending more than they can afford due to the frequent student loans that are paid during the academic year and the potential overdrafts from our bank, both of which are true to some extent. Money does come back, but if you spend it all and rack up debt before your student loan drops you can find yourself unable to make rent payments or perhaps face eviction (it does happen to many). A budget is required to lower this degree of stress while enabling socialising with friends and making the necessary purchases. When you do think about how to spend your money, it is essential that you set aside money for any direct debits and rent. I strongly advise using the 50/30/20 budgeting strategy.
3. Join a society
It will be beneficial for your mental health to join a society because it will give you the chance to socialise with other students at your university and perhaps even meet some new friends. At the university, there are many different kinds of societies; many are based on athletics, and many can be straightforward activities that can nevertheless inspire you to get around. Moving your body can improve both your physical and mental health since it can relieve stress, according to research.
4. Know your drinking limits
Life in moderation, as I proposed at the outset. Alcohol abuse is depressing and can have negative effects on your kidneys, liver, and other organs. I can't persuade you to entirely abstain from alcohol, but I can tell you not to drink by yourself because it depresses you. Additionally, being aware of your boundaries can help you avoid humiliating circumstances that might follow you for a while or, at the very least, cause you to squirm every time you think about them.
5. Know how to cook basic meals
If you can't cook, Uber Eats is too pricey to rely on. Please learn to cook. It's really alarming how many individuals who are my age that I have met don't know how to cook. You will eventually grow tired of the taste, I promise, even if you don't rely on Uber Eats and decide to live off Indomie. It will be excellent if you can make at least 5 meals that you can rotate through. This will help you become more independent and learn how to eat healthily.
6. Take a break
University is not for the week. I never understood the people who would declare their want to quit or the people who actually did drop out before reaching this moment, but I do now. It can be lonely, and there's a potential you might find yourself repeating a loop of not socialising where you go from lecture to your dorm room. The amount of work required can be excessive, and university writing differs greatly from A-level writing. If you obtain poor grades, don't give up; keep trying and seek assistance if you need it. Take a break if everything seems overwhelming. Go for a walk or, if you have companions, go out.Don't spend the entire day locked in your room scrolling. Taking a quick break outside will keep you motivated and aid in mind-clearing.
Keep optimistic and don't let the small things get you down. Having a routine will help keep you at bay. But for those starting university for the first time and for those who are entering a new year good luck!
