Wellness Wednesday: Tips to Make it Over the Hill

The months have passed in the blink of an eye and I can hardly believe we’re halfway through the semester. It feels like only yesterday I was unpacking my belongings after traveling from India to begin my graduate classes in the United States. During this time I’ve discovered effective strategies for overcoming challenges and maintaining a harmonious balance between my studies, part-time job and recreational activities. I am excited to share some of these valuable tips with you in hopes that you can use them to get through fall break and beyond. 

Staying organized and managing your time are crucial for balancing your studies and enjoying life. Task management tools, like Notion, are helpful for building in this organization. Some ideas to keep in mind:

• Set personal weekly goals 
• Use different colors in your calendar for scheduled activities
• Create a daily to-do list for assignments, projects, work and even campus events 

The next group wellness coaching session, Finding Time for Your To-Do’s, will cover these techniques and more to help you reset your time management approach with a certified wellness coach. 

Everyone experiences the struggle of managing tasks, and at times this can lead to increased levels of stress or sleep deprivation. By making rest a priority and improving our sleep, we actually feel an increase in our productivity and overall well-being. Consider using sleep-tracking tools in your routine, or download the Headspace app to get access to Sleepcasts. 

Working part-time while attending classes and completing assignments can be demanding and monotonous. In addition to our sleep, it’s essential to prioritize taking breaks to allow ourselves time to unwind, or time to spice things up and add adventure to our day. Outdoor Adventures hosts a variety of trips each semester, like Bouldering at Moore’s Wall and a trip to the North Carolina Zoo, to provide opportunities for connecting with other students.

Step out of your comfort zone and engage with people from different backgrounds to gain valuable learning experiences and a deeper understanding of other cultures. Check out events on campus or find community in the greater Raleigh area through experiences like the International Festival 2023 – Traveling the World in Raleigh or The Crowded Table Club. Engaging in such cultural exchanges is not only enjoyable, but according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it is also a valuable coping mechanism for reducing stress, improving physical and emotional health, and enhancing overall well-being. 

To find more major- or program-specific advice, lean on your professors and academic advisors for support. Many academic programs have groups and associations with resources available, including networking and social opportunities to meet peers outside the classroom. As mid-term exams approach, these experiences will provide something to look forward to as a reward for your hard work this semester.

While college can be stressful and there is usually a learning curve for figuring out how to best manage your time, relax and meet new people, making the effort now to schedule time for yourself and participate in wellness activities will help in the long run. Get excited about the challenges ahead and embrace these moments with the knowledge that balance and well-being are key to your success!