Prioritizing Your Well-being During Your Studies
By: Kaitlyn
Balancing school and self-care should not feel like a chore! The start of a new school year can be an exciting time but also overwhelming. With all the assignments piling up, it can feel like there’s no time left to focus on eating healthy or getting enough sleep! Still, it’s essential to prioritize not only your studies but also your well-being. Unsure how to maintain a balance of keeping your mind and body healthy, while also keeping up good grades?
Here are five simple tips from SSU team members about how to support your well-being as a student:
Look After Your Body
Simply sleeping for 7-9 hours a night not only makes you feel good when you wake up but also makes you feel more energized throughout your school day.
Everyone always says, "Exercise will make you feel better," and I used to think that was just something people said to motivate themselves. But once I started exercising regularly, I realized they were right! To me the most important part of working out is not only seeing results but also feeling happier and healthier after the workout. What are some other ways you can take care of your physical health?
“Yoga is something which I plan on beginning as I recently got to know about the classes from the SSU Athletics Centre. This will help me to be spiritually strong as well.”
“To better my physical wellness, I try to find activities that I find fun over exercising the “right” way, like going skating!”
2. Connecting With Friends and Family
“Reaching out to a friend or family member each week helps you stay connected.” - Livia, Social Media Coordinator
There is never anything wrong with reaching out for help, especially in stressful situations. By simply communicating with your friends and family about what you are currently struggling with or what you need help with is helpful! I am constantly going to my family members or my friends for advice on situations or ideas for assignments at school. Hearing different perspectives on a situation can really help you gain clarity and give you ideas for your next steps.
3. Staying Organized
I'm a visual learner, so having the due dates laid out like this really helps me see everything clearly and plan ahead for each week!
How do you stay prepared and organized each semester? Or do you not... No judgement here! Staying organized throughout the semester really comes down to following a system that works for you! This is important as being organized can boost your productivity and create less stress in your life! Personally, I am an advocate for relying on digital tools, like Google Sheets, where I put all my assignment due dates into a spreadsheet and colour coordinate each course.
However, there are many techniques and ways that people stay organized, such as using other project management software or through making lists. Find out what works best for you and stick to it!
“Lists are my biggest ally! Each Sunday I like to write everything I need to do on my Tasks App and then calendarize each task with reminders and colors, keeping it simple and visually appealing helps a lot!”
4. Setting Realistic Goals
“Find alignment between your academic work and career goals by find a good working environment and what helps you grow as an individual be it customer facing or whatever works best for you.” - Diya, former Accounting Clerk Co-op
Goal setting is so important toward your personal and professional growth. When you’re juggling so many things in your life, such as school, staying active and socializing with friends, it’s easy to just drift through life. Setting mental, physical, or academic goals is key to maintaining balance in your life and feeling truly fulfilled by your achievements.
This year, I set a goal to not just feel relieved when I finish something, but actually take pride in my accomplishments. Even small goals, like eating healthier or aiming for over 75% on assignments, can make a big difference in fostering a healthier overall well-being. It’s all about creating momentum and building a positive, rewarding routine for yourself!
5. Making Time for What You Love
It’s important to love the work you do—because when you're passionate about it, it doesn’t just feel like another item on the to-do list!
You only live ONCE! While studying, getting good grades, and staying active are all important, true balance comes from making time for the things that bring you joy and fun! This is where organization also comes into place so that you have time in your schedule to hang out with friends or do an activity you enjoy!
“Keep a healthy routine, be aware of your expenses but also allow yourself to enjoy moments with friends as well! ”
“Try to make the time to see friends face to face rather than just texting them online. It makes a big difference!”
We’re always eager to learn about the different ways students prioritize their mental and physical well-being throughout the school year, and how we can better support the Sheridan community in doing so. How do you take care of yourself during the semester? Share your tips with us in the comments below! ⬇️
Looking for support to help you grow academically, personally, or socially?
Empower Me offers a full suite of academic life services, such as life coaching, financial planning, and nutritional counselling. Check out ways to support various aspects of your well-being!
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words spiritual wellness? For some of you, it may be your connection to your religious faith, for others, spiritual wellness may mean your set of values and personal moral construct