Students can be very busy people.
Balancing school and work is challenging, but tens of thousands of students complete college every year.
Talent helps, but time management is essential. So is good health.
These tips can help busy students achieve their academic goals.
WAKE UP EARLY
Mornings are excellent times to study or work on assignments. Get up early and work while the brain is rested and ready.
Get to sleep early, too, no later than 10 p.m. Students do not sleep enough. Doctors recommend 8-9 hours and insist that seven hours are the minimum.
CAT NAPS ARE REFRESHING
A pair of 5-10 minute naps a day can recharge the brain and body. Set a phone alarm and take a quick siesta. Short naps leave busy students feeling refreshed. Campus Nurse Grace Cruz agreed.
“Power naps are a great way to revitalize,” she said.
SC health counselor Margaret Daynes said naps should not exceed 15-20 minutes as longer naps may interfere with night sleep.
DEEP BREATHS AND STRETCH
Light, fresh air and exercise wake up the mind and body. Deep, relaxing breaths while softly stretching gets oxygen into the body and brain.
SC Exercise Instructor Angela Chelik agreed.
“With your mouth closed, breathe in deeply through your nose and feel your ribcage expand,” she said. “Hold your breath for a five count, before slowly exhaling through your nose.”
ASK FOR HELP
Feel free to ask questions.
SC is staffed with people dedicated to helping students. SC’s $17 million library is an invaluable treasure teaming with talented researchers eager to help students with virtually any academic project.
SC has an Academic Success Center with writing coaches and tutors for most subjects.
Students may also take advantage of the excellent public libraries in Chula Vista and National City.
EAT WELL
College students often fail to eat and drink nourishing food and beverages.
It is worth taking the time and spending the money to eat well. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are power foods for the brain. Chips, snack foods and sweetened carbonated drinks cause blood sugar spikes and then deep fatigue.
Chelik recommended finding a green drink recipe to make at home.
HYDRATE
Students should drink water throughout the day. Good hydration helps the body to function at its best.
Chelik recommended setting a hydration reminder on the phone to drink water every hour.
Campus Nurse Grace Cruz encourages students to carry a water bottle wherever they go.
WALK
Walking as light exercise releases endorphins which are body and brain enhancing hormones. Great ideas may come to mind while walking. Walks also reduce stress and elevate mood.
Park at the far end of the parking
lot or get off the bus one stop
early and get in that healthy walk.
Cruz extolled the benefits of walking.
“Walking 30 minutes a day (or most days) is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health,” she said.
USE FREE TIME WELL
Free time can be hard to come by and is always precious. It is a chance to get ahead with school projects. Fight procrastination and finish assignments in advance to eliminate stress and to do better work.
Free time is also a good time to exercise the brain, said Cruz.
“I recommend students having flashcards or snapshots of their homework, that way if they’re on the bus, waiting in a line, or sitting at a doctor’s office, they could be reviewing their flashcards or pictures of their work on their phone,” she said.
Daynes emphasized good time management, including time for friends, family and hobbies.
POSITIVE THINKING IS POWERFUL
People who are optimistic and think positively live longer, are happier and achieve more. Keeping an optimistic spirit is a choice. Things occasionally go wrong in life, but people who deal with adversity in a positive, proactive way will come out stronger.
Christian Larson’s Optimist Creed says it well.
“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.”
Optimists count their blessings. Chelik agreed.
“Recognize things that are going well for you,” she said. “Every morning when you get up, take five minutes to write down things that you are grateful for and things that you are looking forward to that day.” Cruz concurred.
“Positive outlook can make a difference,” she said.
Daynes encouraged self-talk or positive affirmations such as, “I am a good person. I am doing the best that I can. I deserve the time and space to heal. I am in charge of my life.”
