Jessica is an NSU doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program. She currently works as a writing tutor at the Testing and Tutoring Center.
College isn’t always easy; you will be challenged in new ways, and that doesn’t always lend to the best academic performance. Here are some things you can do/keep in mind to make sure you are happy and healthy enough to take on anything.
Find “Your Person”
Having someone to hear you out when you’re having a bad (or a good) day or to help you problem-solve is actually a huge part of academic success. Studies from Pepperdine University have shown that support from peers leads to better academic performance and higher life satisfaction among college students.
The best way to find a solid support network in a college environment is to figure out your interests and join clubs, organizations, or activities that match them. You might even try to talk to a new person every time you attend class for the first couple of weeks—in fact, make it a personal challenge to step outside of your comfort zone at least once a week and talk to a stranger. You never know which relationships will be life-long.
Self-Care Is Important
At the risk of sounding like a mom, make sure you are taking care of your body. Eating well/enough, drinking plenty of water (especially in Florida’s heat and humidity), exercising frequently, and sleeping well have huge impacts on your brain’s ability to function at its fullest potential. These may sound like chores, but there are plenty of resources on the internet to help you keep track of your health. Just remember, if your body is struggling to keep up with your lifestyle and you aren’t giving it enough of what it needs, it is possible that areas of your life (school, work, etc.) are going to suffer as a result.
Balance Is Key
Finding balance is probably one of the biggest challenges that students face. Juggling school, work, and life is something that we all have to learn to manage; it’s an ever-changing process. Luckily, you have control over the areas of your life and you can make adjustments along the way until you find the best system for you. Make it a habit to check in on your priorities and decide if you are giving enough attention to what is most important to you.
Stretch Those Resources
Whether you need help studying for a test, or you need someone to listen to some issues you’ve been having with your family, there is nothing wrong with asking for support when you recognize that you need a hand. Your roommate, your friends, and NSU faculty are excellent places to start. You can also always reach out to on-campus resources like the NSU Testing and Tutoring Center for academic support, and the Henderson Student Counseling Center or NSU Student Mediation Services for your more private affairs.
