The Glossed Over Blog

Busy College Student Addition

How is November? This semester has flown by so fast. Sometimes I forget to stop and think about how far I have come. I have been busier this semester than I ever have. Because of my busy schedule I have been trying to find small ways to take care of myself. It’s easy to get caught up in a to-do list and forget the progress and changes you have made. Here are some changes that have been helping me thrive this semester:

Being present in your walks between classes

Something that I have tried this semester is not using my phone or listening to music in between my classes. I’m not going to lie, this has been very hard for me, especially because I love listening to music. But doing so, I have noticed the environment around me. I can hear the birds chirping and I notice the colors changing on the trees everyday. These moments are small but they have allowed me to be more present in my time outside. This helps me to switch gears easier than I would if I was tuned out by my devices.

Carrying around a small journal

I have had the same journal in my school backpack since the middle of my junior year of high school. I still write in it when I need it. Most of the stuff I talk about in there is school related so it is interesting to look back and see what I was doing in the past 4-5 years. I know that I always have it as a safe place if I am having a bad day or if I need to get something off my mind. Keeping a journal separate from my school notebooks has been helpful too because I know that I can separate my personal life from my academic life.

Establishing a morning routine

I have never had a concrete morning routine until this year. In the previous years, I would sleep until the very last possible minute, I would be running in circles all morning trying to get to where I was going at a decent time. Now I have come to the realization I should establish a morning routine so I can better prepare myself for the day. Recently, I have been making sure to wake up two hours before I am going somewhere. I make myself breakfast, get ready, and make my bed. You read that right… I make my bed. I have made it a goal this semester. So far, I have been doing well during the week, weekends are another story. Being able to have a morning routine has boosted my mood and allowed me to feel like I had more control over my days. 

Make a gratitude list

In high school, my friends and I would make gratitude lists with sticky notes. They always made my day brighter. Recently, I have been trying to practice the same thing. Creating a list of things you are grateful for will provide some positive energy in your day. Practicing gratitude strengthens your relationships and connections to the things around you. I would recommend giving yourself space in a planner or your journal to write down 3-5 things you are grateful for today and try to maintain that habit. 

Sometimes as students we are so consumed with cramming for exams that we forget to take care of ourselves. Self-care is not very talked about in college but is just as important as studying for a test. Remember that you have the control to change the trajectory of your week. I hope you take some of these tips and apply them to your schedule!  

♡ Hattie