College Students: How to Make Self Care a Priority in Your Crazy Schedule

College students are busy people. Between classes and exams, you need to work on your homework, make time for friends, and try to fit in some fun. On top of all that, you also have to make self-care a priority! If you don’t take care of yourself at this stage in life (and beyond), it can seriously affect everything from your grades to your health. But don’t fret; there are so many ways college students can learn how to make self-care a priority!

Make some time for you!

One of the most important things you can do is make sure that you have some time for yourself. I know it can be hard to find the time, especially when work and school are taking up so much of your day, but if you don’t make some time for yourself, then there’s no way you’ll be able to take care of your mental health.

Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself. Some people might not understand why a person would take days off from work or school (or whatever else they’re doing), but it’s important! Even though it might seem like a lot now, trust me: all those hours will add up quickly and before long, they’ll become too heavy on your shoulders.

You don’t need an excuse not to check Facebook every five minutes or spend an hour reading through emails—you just need some reason not do those things today (or maybe even tomorrow). Whether it’s because your boss told someone else that she could handle one more project this week or because their friend needed help moving into her new apartment across town—pick any excuse and use it as an opportunity to take care of yourself instead!

Work smarter, not harder.

”Work smarter, not harder.”

This quote is something you’ve probably heard before. It doesn’t mean that you should cut corners or do a poor job – it just means that sometimes, you can get more done by using your time wisely rather than plowing through tasks at a breakneck pace. There are many ways to do this without sacrificing quality of work:
Do one thing at a time. Don’t try and write an essay while checking Facebook and catching up on emails; instead, focus on writing for as long as it takes to complete the assignment (and then turn off your computer).
Don’t multi-task. For example, if I try to read while doing laundry (or vice versa), I end up missing things in either task because my brain gets confused about which task I’m supposed to be focused on!
Work when you’re fresh and energized instead of tired or overwhelmed. If possible, avoid working during stressful times (like right after exams) or when your energy levels are naturally low (e.g., right before dinner).

Learn to say no.

Learning to say no is a skill you will use again and again throughout your life. You’ll need it at work, in school and at home. Saying no can be difficult, but it will help you take care of yourself and make good decisions. The next time someone asks you to do something or go somewhere, ask yourself if there’s a way you can say yes without sacrificing your own values or goals first. If not, then try to find an alternative solution that works for both of you.

Balance your life and schedule.

It’s important to remember that self-care is a daily commitment, not just something you do on vacation or whenever it’s convenient.

If you are finding yourself overwhelmed by schoolwork, internships and extracurricular activities, take some time out from the daily grind to reflect on how much time off you need to feel recharged. You can give yourself permission for an hour each day where you don’t have any responsibilities or obligations (within reason). This will help keep your stress levels under control and make sure that once again the things that matter most in life – family and friends – stay at the top of your priority list!

Don’t forget to put yourself on the priority list!

Take care of yourself. It’s not a luxury and it’s not selfish. Self-care is necessary for good mental health, but more than that, it’s a way to show yourself love.

When you get off and walk into your dorm room – or your apartment after another long day at school and or work, don’t forget what matters most: you! Take time to do something fun or relaxing—go on a walk outside or watch your favorite movie with some friends. And don’t feel guilty about taking a nap when you need one! It doesn’t matter how busy life gets; there will always be time for rest and relaxation if our minds are allowed the opportunity for both.

Learn how to listen to your body.

When you’re busy with school, work and other responsibilities, it can be easy to put yourself last. But when you’re not feeling well or are stressed out from overworking, it can negatively affect your health and make it difficult for you to perform at your best.

Instead of ignoring the signs that something is off in your body—or worse yet, trying to push through them—learn how to listen to what your body needs by paying attention to its signals. If your stomach is growling or if you feel fatigued during the day, those are signs that it might be time for a healthy meal break. If one of your limbs hurts after sitting down all day at school or work, try moving around more often during the day so that blood flows through your legs properly (and don’t forget about wearing comfortable shoes!). When exercising feels good instead of painful (even just walking), then go ahead and get those endorphins flowing!

You have the power to make self-care a priority in your busy schedule!

It can be difficult for college students, who are often juggling studies, jobs and extracurricular activities. But you don’t have to let the stress of balancing everything get to you. You can make time for self-care—and here’s why it’s so important:

Self care is essential because it helps keep you healthy and happy. If you don’t take care of yourself first, how will anyone else? It’s important that we all learn how to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others (or even let others help us).
Self-care shouldn’t be something that feels like “extra” time; it should be part of our daily lives so that we know ourselves better than anyone else ever could! Being able to invest in ourselves without being afraid is what makes all other relationships possible down the road too!

The Take-away

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on self-care, especially college students who are busy learning and working. I have been there, we are in the same boat. It’s important to remember that taking care of yourself will help you better manage your time and energy, so you can be more productive in everything that you do!