How to look after yourself living away from home as a student?
1. Get adequate sleep
A lack of sleep can really impact your concentration and cognitive behaviour. And while it’s great to throw yourself into student life and experience all it has to offer – adequate sleep is going to be your best friend. If getting good sleep is proving troublesome, get home a little earlier than you usually would, don’t use screens late at night before bed, or even speak to your student counsellor about how you can develop good sleep hygiene and positive routine.
2. Eat as balanced as possible
You’re not expected to be a gourmet chef in your student years, but learning some healthy recipes can help you maintain a more balanced diet. Notice we say balanced and not necessarily ‘healthy’ – as this can mean something different to each individual. Incorporate fresh fruit and veggies as snacks and in meals – you could even invest in a blender to make concoctions that get your vitamins in quickly!
3. Incorporate movement into your day
Consider walking to your lectures rather than relying on public transport. Exercise can seriously boost your mood, even if you feel like it won’t in that moment. If you absolutely must get public transport due to the distance, consider getting off a stop or two earlier to get a few extra steps in.
4. Clean up after yourself
Not only is this mindful for your housemates, but it helps you develop good habits. Cleaning up after yourself rather than leaving chores for another day can help you keep your space clean and minimise tasks building up. This in turn keeps your mind free of distractions and can help you get organised in other ways.
5. Ensure you have the help you need
If you have a pre-existing mental or physical condition, it’s important to ensure you have access to a doctor and the medications you need during your studies. This is especially important to sort out before you get properly settled into your new home, as this means you can lessen any worries about not having the right care.
6. Learn to budget
Budgeting can be a challenge – particularly if you’ve never done it before or haven’t had financial literacy models made clear to you. Consider watching some videos on how to do this or speak to your new peers about what works for them. After all, not all budgeting tips are a one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to experiment until you find a method of budgeting that works for you.