Importance of Socializing

By: Hailley Wilson

As college students, we have high expectations of how we operate in our day-to-day lives. University should come first but I believe socializing should come second. Socializing is a necessity for the average college student. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, connecting to those around you will often improve your daily life. College is full of challenges and there is no better way to combat and celebrate tackling them than with friends. Although, friends are not the only way to socialize. My favorite way to connect with others is through compliments! There is no better feeling than validation on a cute shirt, your hair, or even a speech you just gave! Connecting with others is a great way to change your day around!

Friendships offer a variety of ways to improve our lives. In fact, friends can be a great stress reliever. If you are worried about an upcoming test or a paper worth half of your grade you should connect with the people surrounding you! Friendships are there for you to lean on when life gets tough! Have a friend quiz you with your note cards or have them provide feedback on your writing! I know when I doubt my abilities, I count on my roommate to assure me when it comes to schoolwork.

Not only are friendships a stress reliever but they help combat loneliness! If schoolwork has taken over your life, take a break. If you find yourself in a routine that leaves you not communicating with others from sunup to sundown, fix it. Make time in your schedule to see a friend, go to a club, or go to an event your major has! Surround yourself with people who will renew your energy. Speak to someone new at one of these events or catch up with an old friend. Talking, even small talk, will make you feel more connected to the people around you. I know every Tuesday a group of friends and I meet at a dining hall to catch up on each other's lives. It is only an hour of my day, but it makes my week!

A majority of college students find themselves feeling lost and unsure of their path. Maybe you are confused about your life choices. Is my major right for me? Am I capable in my work? And many more questions we all ask ourselves, but socialization will help! Talk to a friend and listen to their advice. Listen to how they found their path and how they may be feeling. Maybe talking aloud to a trusted friend might just give you the confidence you needed!

Breaking the Norm

By: Lauren Trongone

It’s 1:26 am and I’m currently sitting in a sleepy little airport in Portland, Oregon. For spring break this year my friends and I decided to head to the other side of the country to explore the city, coast, and inland forests of Oregon. Waiting in this airport for my redeye flight home I am leaving this trip feeling more fulfilled than I've felt in a long time. I’ve seen the most beautiful sights and learned a tremendous amount about the vast world out there beyond the tiny town where I'm from. My break was replete with waterfalls, rolling green fields, moss-covered trees, sea stacks, caves, and even a yurt. Not exactly the typical “spring break” experience that comes to mind at a Florida resort with clubs, tanning, and bikinis. Yet, I would not trade my trip for the world. In no way shape or form did I feel as though I missed out on anything. 

Reflecting on this only bolstered how I was feeling about a recent realization I had already made in regards to how I want to live my life, and that is this: do what makes you happy and fulfills you even if it’s not what everyone else is doing. This mentality can be applied to literally anything in life. For example, as a college kid living on campus, I feel like there’s a ton of pressure placed on going out every Thursday through Saturday night. If that’s what makes you happy then that’s totally awesome! However, that is not usually what I find to be the case. I've talked to quite a few people who say they hate going out to frats because that scene gets old quickly, but they still force themselves into going anyway since it’s what everyone else is doing. If you ask me, there’s no shame in staying in or just doing something smaller with your friend group instead. Often, those times are so much more fun and fulfilling when you get to have a meaningful conversation with a close friend or be in the good company of people you actually know. 

Another enactment of this principle could be taking part in an extracurricular activity that has grown to be overwhelmingly demanding to the point where it becomes a constant energy drainer. In this situation, you feel an obligation to remain suffering in this endeavor because you see everybody else who is similarly in this said organization staying put. Everyone around you pressures you into this distorted mindset of needing this particular extracurricular activity to be successful in life. We get sucked into believing that there is only one right way to do things otherwise if we don't do it this one way then we are doomed. This is never the case though. In this day in age, I understand how we overthink ourselves to reach that kind of breaking point. I have been guilty of having these same thoughts plenty of times. It's all about the comparison game and trying to model ourselves completely off of how others look, think, and act. At the end of the day, we need to ultimately do what makes us happy. So, this is a kind reminder to evaluate: do you feel fulfilled in your own life? Really think about if there's a relationship or job or anything else where the bad has begun to outweigh the good. Everyone deserves to be happy andget the absolute most out of their life. That said, if you are feeling unhappy, there is no shame inmaking a change or doing something differently from others around you. Do something today because it's what YOU want to do. Not because others are doing it or because it is what isexpected of you. We are all worthy of that much.

Healthy Relationships With Coffee

By: Mckenzie Schuvart

Whether you drink it hot or iced, over milk and sugar or straight, coffee is a huge part of countless college students' lives. Many have a regular coffee order from a certain coffee shop, and this drink becomes both a regular source of joy as well as a necessity for some. 

Coffee is the main source of caffeine for college students. Many college students also have difficulty getting quality sleep and feel anxious often. It’s not surprising to learn that these occurrences are related. Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it affects the nervous system and increases adrenaline and cortisol levels in the body. When these levels rise, we tend to move quicker and more urgently. This can make it easier to complete difficult tasks. However, at a certain point, these levels rise to a point that is higher than optimal, leading to feelings of anxiety and shakiness. 

The effects of caffeine are typically felt 5-30 minutes after consumption. However, most people do not drink their entire coffee all at once. We sip our coffee, especially when it’s iced, throughout the day, and sometimes have more than one. Since caffeine has a 12-hour half-life, the effects of caffeine can still be apparent for up to 12 hours after consumption. This means that when you finish a coffee at 2 pm, the effects of that drink could potentially last through 2 am, making it difficult to sleep, and in turn difficult to wake up the next morning. This starts the cycle of feeling a need for a daily coffee, which can lead to caffeine dependence. 

As with any drug, after a dependency is formed, withdrawal effects can occur when caffeine is not consumed. These effects can last up to seven days, leading to a full week of crankiness and fatigue, along with other symptoms. Mindful consumption can help to keep coffee as a treat rather than an addiction. Ensuring that coffee is not your only drink during the day is important as well. Proper hydration throughout the day can help minimize the negative effects of caffeine consumption. Additionally, avoiding caffeine later in the day is recommended to avoid sleep troubles. 

If this sounds difficult and you can’t imagine getting through a whole day without coffee, lowering caffeine intake can effectively lead you back to functioning without caffeine. On low-stakes days, such as a rest day or a less busy school day, I try to swap out my large iced coffee for a cup of tea. Since tea has less caffeine than coffee, as well as healing properties such as pain and stress relief, this switch helps to reverse the negative effects of coffee. Additionally, some teas, such as green and hibiscus, can aid in lowering blood pressure. This switch is effective for those looking to avoid building up a tolerance for caffeine. 

Maintaining a healthy relationship with what goes into our bodies allows us to be in control of our lives and live a life free of dependency. Mindfulness with respect to caffeine consumption will help to prevent those unwanted side effects, making today and tomorrow easier and more enjoyable. 

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29680166/#:~:text=Results%3A%20Caffeine%2C%20in%20any%20form,111%20mg%2Fd)

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/caffeine
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/december/health-benefits-of-tea#:~:text=Numerous%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,lasting%20impact%20on%20your%20wellness.

Staying Focused While Studying

By: Emily Huff

It’s official- with midterms upon us, we’ve reached that point in the semester where exams and assignments are quickly piling one on top of another while our new-semester energy begins to dwindle, meaning that it’s more important than ever to make the most of your time studying so that you can remain productive while making sure you don’t fall into the trap of letting your work absorb your entire life. Hopefully, the following list of tips can help you set healthy studying habits and ease some of the pressure that’s inherent to the more challenging points in the year.

1. Make a schedule- Block out certain times for certain assignments and stick to it. It's okay to go overtime or make changes as needed, but if you commit to yourself that you will get work done within a specific time frame, you’re more likely to do it. 

2. Find a good study space- Everyone knows that the library is a great place on campus to find some quiet and be productive, but there are many places you can go for a change of scenery. If you prefer to work with a few more people around, the hub is a great place to go, or even the dining commons during the less active hours. And with warmer weather quickly approaching, there's no better place than outside to get some sun and stay focused. 

3. Take good, meaningful breaks- You can’t expect yourself to work nonstop for hours on end and see satisfying results. It’s important to give yourself time to recharge before getting back to it. Spend time with friends, take a walk, watch TV, or do whatever is best for you to relax, so you can return to your work refreshed and refocused. 

4. Have a good playlist- Music is a great way to take some of the monotony out of those really long assignments or long nights of studying. Have a good playlist ready of songs that make doing work more enjoyable.

5. Continue living your life- Schoolwork is important, of course, but so is establishing a healthy balance. You’re not putting your best foot forward when you let stress rule your life. Ultimately, a grade that’s perhaps a bit lower than expected or a rushed assignment that snuck up on you is not the end of the world. Holding yourself to an inhumane academic standard can only hurt you. Dust yourself off, and turn your focus to the future.

A 10 Minute Meditation A Day Keeps the Stress Away

By: Anna Murphy

College can be a very stressful time for people. Whether it is stress from trying to make new friends, school work, or planning for a career, this time in our lives can come with lots of stressful baggage. With balance and mediation, though, college can be a wonderful time. 

Many scientific facts about meditation prove its benefits for mental health. People who consistently meditate show more signs of compassion, less stress, and sharpened attention. There is even research that says meditation can increase your memory. With our lives being so busy and our minds constantly connecting with technology, it is essential to take a small daily break. That is why I suggest a daily ten-minute meditation session. 

For me, my perfect meditation happens before I go to bed in a quiet room. During this meditation, I focus on my breathing and clearing my mind of the stresses and problems during the day. Meditation can be different for everyone. It doesn't have to be done at night in a quiet room; it can be done on a walk or in the sunshine. It all depends on what works best for your mind and body. Here are some steps that I follow. 

Steps for successful meditation: 

1. Focus on your breathing. Focusing on your breathing will help keep the invading thoughts away. I like to focus on the thought of my lungs expanding and contracting. Another area to focus on is the breath entering and exiting your nose. 

2. Find a quiet place. It is essential to be able to meditate in a quiet area. Outside noises tend to be very distracting and can interrupt your thoughts. It isn't easy to find a quiet place in a college dorm, so I put my headphones on when meditating. 

3. Listen to a guided meditation. Guided meditations make the process much easier. You can find many free videos or podcasts online in which someone will guide you through meditation. Whether trying to clear your mind of anxiety or from stress with school work, you can find many guided videos involving these concerns. 

4. Stay consistent. If you find a time every day where you can complete a ten-minute meditation, it will only get easier each time. Eventually, you might even want to switch off of guided meditation and do your own. 

The process of meditation can be much easier said than done. I, too, am still trying to get myself on a schedule with mediating because I tend to only do it during the week or when I am extra stressed. I can say, though, that I have noticed the very immediate benefits of meditation. I find that I sleep better when I do it before bed, I have learned more about my mind and body, and most importantly, my anxiety and stress levels are down. 

Sources:

https://shedefined.com.au/wellbeing/i-meditated-for-10-minutes-every-day-and-this-is-what-hap pened/ 

https://mindworks.org/blog/why-is-meditation-important-facts-you-need-to-know/