By: Olivia Vadnais
College is such a transformative time in a person’s life. There are so many fun and exciting changes and events that occur that never have before, and ultimately is an extremely formative experience. You learn a lot about yourself and become a totally different person after four years. Within this time, life is fast paced with many new experiences and feelings which makes it difficult to take a step back and recollect ourselves. We don’t always have to keep pushing forward to go to that next interview, go out to that next party, or get two weeks ahead of work for that course. It is important to take time for yourself and appreciate how far you’ve come.
It becomes difficult to separate ourselves from our schedules and work lives as students. We are so consumed by academics, internships, work, social life etc. that we forget to take care of the most important part of those components: ourselves. Treating our minds, bodies and souls with care and respect is something we should be making a priority. This can include doing many things, such as a self-care night, exercising, meditating, etc. that may not seem like game changers , but in our overall wellness can make a huge difference in academic, career and personal growth. Feeling better, looking better, and being content with both our outward and inner presence are keys to success not only in college but in life.
Self-care can involve prioritizing yourself, and if you’re a people pleaser like myself, this can be extremely difficult. You want to make everyone else around you happy and be there for others more than you are for yourself, We forget to make ourselves happy in the process. If you don’t want to do something, you don’t have to do it. If you don’t feel like going out to a party and you’d rather eat pizza and watch a movie or just get some extra sleep, you should feel empowered to do so. There will be other parties and events, you won’t need to kick yourself for taking a night off. If you’re feeling burnt out from assignments, take a break. Watch an episode of Gilmore Girls then jump back in once you’re refueled. Take a walk in the fresh air and appreciate the body you are in. Don’t let other people’s expectations or wants influence your choices about what is best for you. If anything, you learn who your true friends are when they respect your wishes and support your self-improvement.
While college is a time of new beginnings and new experiences, it should not come at the cost of taking care of your greatest asset, yourself. What this means for you may change over your time at school, and ultimately what makes you feel your best are things you should be putting time and effort into. As college students we should not only nurture our minds, but also our bodies and spirit in order to get the best out of our experience.