The start of a new school year is ideal for making new decisions regarding your approach to health. Student life can be intense so it’s easy to neglect health and physical wellbeing. Students are multitaskers and it’s no wonder they have to put their health last and put their sole focus on studying, attending classes and maintaining a social life.

In order to have a genuinely thriving university experience, students should incorporate these tips into their daily routine. Start by paying attention to the following:

Don’t sacrifice your sleep

Sleep is the first thing students sacrifice in order to finish a project or attend yet another party. Lack of sleep actually has a negative impact on academic performance. A healthy amount of sleep is needed to be able to retain all the information that students learn in college. So, prioritize sleep and try to get between 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep. Short naps or power naps are also useful if a student did not sleep well, but plans to have a productive day.

Another thing that students do instead of sleeping is to revise all night before an exam. All-night cramming sessions are not as effective as students might think because these only help short-term memory. Your results will surely be better if you sleep a full night before your exam than to come sleepy and exhausted. Your focus will be better if you are well-rested than running on caffeine.

Find a good group of friends

The time you spend in college will be one of the most memorable periods. Friendships that start during college often last a lifetime. That is why your goal should be to surround yourself with like-minded people. If you share the same health values, achievement goals, and interests, the time at college will be easier to get through.  A group of friends will be a great support system when things get overwhelming and stressful. Fellow students know exactly what you are going through and college friendships will save you from breaking down. Maybe you’ll be the one to help a friend in need and inspire someone to adopt the same healthy habits. Either way, give your best to talk to people, help people, join clubs you like to connect with likeminded people. Even studying can be done in groups of friends. You’ll help each other with subjects the other person needs help and motivate each other to achieve better grades.

Clean your living space often

Clean and tidy living space will have a calming effect on your mind and help you concentrate better. Visual clutter can only increase the amount of stress, which enhances the amount of anxiety caused by the college curriculum and tight deadlines. By keeping your place clean, you will also kill all germs and bacteria carried by students who don’t pay attention to their health as much as you do.  Make cleaning a habit by adding it to your everyday routine. You can do it when you’re taking a break from studying.

Embrace the positive effects of physical activities

Regular physical exercise will make you feel better. It will help you keep your weight in check and be the reason you don’t have a beer belly (which can be the result of too many college parties). A good sweat session will increase your self-confidence, too.

If your schedule does not allow time for a regular physical exercise, aim to at least have an active commute. If you live far from campus, why not ride a bike instead of using public transport? Cycling has more health benefits than riding a bus. You’ll get the chance to spend more time outdoors in an active manner. It is a great cardio exercise that does not put too much pressure on your joints. Lightweight electric bikes are a great option for those days when you are too tired to pedal vigorously. Get one that will assist you when you are too exhausted to pedal really hard.

Drink Water

The importance of proper hydration cannot be stressed enough. Your brain and other parts of your body require water for proper functioning. As you are a student, you need to take care of your cognitive abilities well. If you are well hydrated, the stress levels can be reduced. It all boils down to this – if you want to improve physical performance, boost your cognitive abilities, think clearly,  lose weight, stay in a better mood, prevent disease, carry a water bottle with you. Your daily intake should be between 2-3 liters per day. In case you might plan on going to a college party soon, make sure to drink enough water the day after.

Eat smart

Late-night cramming sessions and stressful exam periods are the road to gaining weight. Emotional eating is a typical occurrence when students are under a lot of stress. Healthy eating might just be the challenge you need to test your own abilities. In order to avoid the temptation and order yet another pizza for dinner, make a game plan. First of all, stock up your fridge with ingredients that can easily be turned into healthy meals. Eggs, dairy, vegetables, lean meat, wholegrain foods should become part of your diet. Avoid sugary drinks and too much caffeine.

Regular check-ups.

Going to the doctor’s has never been easier if you have access to an on-campus clinic. Preventative health scans, annual checkups and wellness exams, STI screenings are all available to you. You will also have access to many support groups, counseling, or even peer counseling for when things become too stressful.

Once you establish your routine, incorporate healthy habits into your day, sleep well, drink enough water and remain active, your health will strive. Also, it is okay to indulge a bit and let yourself go. If you are stressed, take some time off and enjoy the things that make you happy. In order to have a positive college experience, aim to be well and live well.