getting active Archives - The Freshman Survival Guide

Run Away the Stress

May 16, 2016 Leave a comment

exercise

It’s no secret that college can be incredibly stressful, especially during the time of finals and thinking about what you’re going to do with your summer. Alleviating this stress is important, and it is even more important that you do this in a healthy way. While hiding in your bed and eating junk food may be tempting, doing that every single day will eventually just lead to even more stress and feelings of depression.

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers out there: you get to vent your frustrations on equipment instead of people, and the endorphins you receive during exercise boost your mood and concentration! You don’t necessarily have to utilize your university gym to get these effects; you can just start running or playing pick-up ball with your friends. If you do decide to go to the gym, take advantage of all it has to offer. Many university gyms offer swimming pools, exercise classes, equipment for tennis courts or racquetball courts, and a variety of cardio and weightlifting equipment. There is something for everyone, no matter what you’re interested in.

In addition to exercise, some individuals have turned to CBD products as a way to alleviate stress and anxiety. Some of the great CBD products, such as oils, gummies, and capsules, are believed to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to promote relaxation and reduce feelings of stress. CBD has also been shown to potentially improve sleep quality, which can have a significant impact on overall mood and well-being. However, as with any new supplement, it is important to choose a reputable brand and speak with a healthcare professional before incorporating CBD into your stress management plan. By combining healthy lifestyle habits like exercise with the potential benefits of CBD, individuals can take proactive steps toward managing stress healthily and effectively.

The best way to keep yourself interested and your stress levels low is to change up your form of physical activity. Swimming might be your favorite, but doing it every day can eventually become monotonous. Try doing a dance class or weightlifting class every few days to keep your body and mind guessing. While you might not be interested in working out at first, give it a try the next time you’re feeling stressed. You might find the benefits greatly outweigh the effort it takes to get to the gym.

Lifestyle Changes vs. Resolutions

January 19, 2016 Leave a comment

In January, students often feel that they need to make a resolution. After all, everyone else is doing it. The key to a successful resolution is viewing it as a lifestyle change instead of a goal you need to meet for an x-amount of time. This is why you often seen the university recreation centers packed for the entire month of January, but as soon as February 1^st rolls around those people disappear. If you truly want to be successful, sit down and commit to yourself to make changes in your life, not a resolution.

With this in mind, think about the changes you’d like to make in your life. Do you need to set aside more time for homework or get to bed earlier? Do you want to start going to the gym every day or spend more time with your friends? Whatever your goal is, putting it down on paper makes you more likely to follow through since you’ll have a visual reminder. Set a number of days you want to keep doing an activity before you reward yourself. For example, “When I go to the gym 14 days in a row, I can treat myself to ice cream.” Small rewards will keep you excited about your new lifestyle and you can look back and see how successful you’ve been.

One of the most effective things I ever did in college was set a school-night bedtime of 12:00 AM. During my freshmen and sophomore years, I pulled a lot of all-nighters to get things done, and it really wore on me. Once I set a time that I had to be in bed by, I noticed an improvement in my organization, my academic work, and my overall mood. Small things can vastly improve your life. Take this month to make some changes in your life, and reap the benefits all semester long!

Summer Time is Prep Time

June 2, 2014 Leave a comment

The summer is finally here!!! Making it through your first year is a major accomplishment and although you still have a ways to go, take pride in what you have accomplished thus far. Summer is a great time to rest and rejuvenate for the next year. This is a great time to reflect on the past year. Ask yourself, what where your highs this year, yours lows, what did you miss out on accomplishing, what did you not get to, and how would you do things differently. After you have answered these questions, you are ready to map out your sophomore year. Each year in college is truly what you make it. If you take the time to reflect and navigate your path, you will see opportunities for growth and seize those moments to be the best you can be. Each semester (and year) you should have a set of goals and at the end of the semester (and year) you should take stock and see where you are in accomplishing each of those goals. Take pride in the goals you have accomplished and refocus the goals you were not able to complete. If you need to adjust your goals, by adding to them or taking away from them do so. The important factor is not giving up on your goals or revisiting them often to remind yourself why you work so hard and to keep you focused.

Summer also provides a great opportunity for you to take your college career to the next level. You can use this time to enroll in summer classes, spend time developing yourself at an internship, get a summer job, and even study abroad. Twelve weeks is not really a long time. If you wait too long to plan or get involved the summer will pass you by and nothing will be completed. The optimal time to prepare for summer is April, but there are still plenty of great opportunities that will be available in May and June, which is why you must act fast and not waste any time. Summer classes are typically offered in two or three sessions. Choose classes that are general requirements and will transfer easily or classes that will help prepare you for a more challenging course you have next semester. Many businesses would love to have students (who want to join the profession) donate their time. However having someone for only four weeks is not as helpful as ten to twelve weeks. This same rule applies to a summer job. An employer will be more likely to dedicate time, resources and energy to an employee who will be with the company for three months versus one month. Utilize previous employment, parents, and friends to locate potential opportunities. If you have the opportunity to travel abroad, seize it! There are many opportunities to learn take classes, volunteer, and immerse yourself into another culture. These experiences provide life lessons that will expand past information learned in the classroom.

Summer is a great time to sit back and just relax, however forgoing relaxation now and investing in your future will help you further along in your career. There will be plenty of time to relax once you have graduated and are in your career. Use the summer to reflect, set new goals, and prepare for the next semester. Summer is the time to prepare for the next stage in your life, if you do not use the time wisely you may not achieve the goals you have outlined for yourself. Enjoy the summer and congrats on being a Sophomore!

What to Believe

April 16, 2014 Leave a comment

Easter is fast approaching and is usually a time when students head back home to continue with their families holiday tradition(s). If students cannot make it home, this is a time when they will attempt to find a local church or attend service on campus (if one is available). If you have gotten away from your spiritual upbringing, now is a good time to get reacquainted. If you are open to learning about new religions, this is a good time to get out and explore how different religions view the Easter holiday. Ask to go home with one of your classmates and explore their approach to religion. Ask questions, try new things, and attempt to figure out what makes sense and provides comfort to you. Do not try to understand and solve the questions about life all in one sitting. Religion is a tough topic and people spend their entire lives searching for the answers to life. People migrate between religions, selecting concepts, and methodology that provides a sense of comfort and stability to their lives. There are a variety of religions, then there are a variety subcategories under each religion, then there are a variety of interpretations and ways to execute the vision. So take your time and explore what you think works for your life and brings your peace.

Spring or Break

March 24, 2014 Leave a comment

Midterms are finishing up and it is time sit back and do nothing right? Wrong! Spring Break is a great time to recharge, but it also a great time to explore, serve, and learn. Thoughtfully plan out your Spring Break, be intentional about how you choose to spend your time. You can accomplish so much of your to-do list or squander away time if not executed with a plan in mind.

Spring Break can be spent several different ways and you do not have to spend a lot of money to make Spring Break worthwhile. The most obvious Spring Break idea is to go on vacation to some exotic, sand-clad resort. This could result in a number of ways. Spring Break for you will also include Spring Break for THOUSANDS of other college students, which means massive crowds, loud and obnoxious encounters with others, countless bad decisions, and money for travel. A better alternative is to go somewhere fairly local, within an hour or two that will take you out of your dorm room and allow you to see new sights. You will still enjoy the “vacation like feel” and avoid the crowds. You may also want to consider staying local and acting like a tourist in your city or a neighboring city. Again, you will enjoy being away while learning something new about your college town. Research shows many graduates relocate to an area near their college after graduation. Now is a good time for you to learn more about what could be your new home. You may want to also consider going on an Alternative Spring Break trip. These trips are designed to give students a chance to travel during Spring Break, but also give back to deserving community by performing service projects. Lastly, talk to your parents and organize a family vacation during your Spring Break. This option, may be the most economical and cost you little to nothing. Your family has missed not having you around the past 6-7 months and would love to spend time with you and see what you have been learning and doing since August (or at least Christmas, if you went home).

Regardless of how you spend your break, make a plan and make the time as useful as possible. A well planned and executed Spring Break can result in a lifetime of memories. Below are a few more ideas to consider for your Spring Break planning:

Change your room around. A change in scenery would be nice for the remainder of the semester.
Secure housing for next school year. Moving off campus? Now is a good time to go explore your options, take tours, and sign a lease. The good spaces are taken fast, so cease the moment while everyone is away.
Read for fun. You probably do not do much of this anymore. It has been all chapter this, article that. Get back to the novels, short stories, and series you love.
Spring Clean!!!! Go through your clothes and shoes and donate anything you are not wearing and cannot fit. Also, CLEAN your entire place top to bottom, dusting, mopping, and giving the attention to areas you may have neglected. Do some laundry: clean bedding and linens, clean winter wardrobe and store away, and bring out your spring/summer wardrobe.
Start working on your Final projects and papers. The library and labs will be empty now is a great time to get a jump start.
Start looking for a summer job. Now is a good time to go out into the community and see if anyone is looking for help.
Volunteer. Give back to your community or local church.
Read chapters for school. Another great way to get a head start in classes or a chance to catch up.
Go to a concert. Find your favorite band and travel to see their show.
Start a Bucket-List. There are several different versions: college list, a hometown list, or an overall adventure list.
Work out. Get into the fitness groove, while nothing else is competing for your attention.
Work overtime. If you currently have a job, inquire about extra hours; pick up hours for others going on vacation.
Visit your grandparents. You probably have not called like you said you would, so now is the perfect time to go spend time with them.
Go for a walk or a bike ride. Just walk/ride, no destination in mind, learn something new about your community.
Try something new. It doesn’t matter what it is, just try it. If you don’t like it great at least you tried it and know it wasn’t for you. It can be a food, musical, hairstyle, or new outfit.
Go on an adventure. Try white water rafting, skydiving, or camping with friends.
Plan a group activity. Go bowling, skating, paintball shooting, or laser tag.
Start a blog. Whatever you like to do and enjoy, write about it.
Host a movie marathon. Pick an actor/actress and watch all of their films.
Netflix day. Look through Netflix and find a new series to watch or catch up on a show you use to watch.
Take a class for fun. It can be yoga, art, dance, sewing, crafts, go to one drop-in class and see if you like it.
Start packing. The end of the semester will be here before you know it. Pack items you know you will not need or use in the next month or so.
Go on a special date. Make it fun and well thought out. Give it a theme, make it a puzzle, or incorporate a scavenger hunt.
Back-up your computer. Now is a great time to save all of your work, pictures, and music. For some reason computers tend to fail around Finals, when you need them most. If you ensure your computer is cleaned, delete unused data, and save your important information, you will be in a good place should your laptop crash later in the semester.
Sleep. You have probably not been getting a full 8 hours each night. Use this time to sleep and enjoy not having to get up and go to class.

Got Culture?

March 11, 2014 Leave a comment

One of the “side effects” of college is being exposed to things that you may not have been exposed to previously. It is also a chance for you to gain interest in things that you may not have previously had an interest. Your campus will offer a variety programs and activities. You should challenge yourself to attend at least one program in each category per year or at least one each before you graduate. There will be plethora of things to choose from: plays, symposiums, concerts, parties, lectures, athletic events, novelties, comedians, musicals, dance recitals, art gallery showings, and the list goes on and on. Even if you are not extremely intellectual, not the artsy type, or do not understand the plays in football, still attend an event at least once. This the time when you be able to support your classmates, meet new people and gain exposure to unknown territory for free or relatively cheaply. Students gain admission into many university sponsored events for free, at a special rate, or they receive a discount.

Going out and trying new things, being exposed to the unknown is what helps make you well-rounded and “cultured”. Enjoy the talented peers you have in your class, you never know what will become of them and how your paths may cross in the future. In addition to making you a better-rounded person, these activities give you something to do. Activities occur throughout the school year and are usually planned so there is not much overlap with programs being scheduled at the same time. You can usually find a master calendar with most events on the school’s homepage and then there are departmental (Dance, Music, Athletics, etc.) calendars available with events as well. Most events are planned well in advance some as early as the beginning of the semester.

Not sure where to get started? Stop by the Student Activities office and ask what is happening on campus. Enjoy the challenge and attend as many programs as possible.

Safety and You

February 26, 2014 Leave a comment

Campus safety should be a concern of everyone; parents, administration, and most importantly you the students. Safety is one thing that cannot be guaranteed. The university and university housing department will take precautions and attempt to mitigate risks and hazards. It is also the responsibility of the student to make sure they are implementing safety practices into their daily routine. Criminals prey on the innocence and naivety of students. Being aware of your surrounds and familiarizing yourself with these safety tips below can help you avoid unsafe situations.

Program the campus police phone number into your phone. Also, add the RA on-call phone number and the front desk phone number, so they are handy in the event of an emergency.
Program 3-5 people in your phone as ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts. In an emergency situation, someone can easily identify who to call if you need help.
Report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to campus authorities. Many universities have emergency phones installed throughout campus, do not be afraid to use the phone in an emergency.
Use the “buddy system” and watch out for your neighbors.
Keep your doors locked, especially whenever you find yourself alone in a apartment/room.
If you see someone being victimized, get involved and notify the police.
Avoid traveling alone at night. Travel with a friend, walk with crowds, or request an escort from campus police.
Walk on well-lit, regular traveled walks and pathways. Avoid shortcuts and keep away from shrubbery, bushes, alleyways, or any other areas where someone could be hiding.
Avoid big open areas like the athletic fields and tennis courts after dark.
Do not accept rides from casual acquaintances.
When walking to your vehicle or residence, have your keys ready in hand.
When being dropped off by taxi or private vehicle, ask the driver to wait until you get inside.
When getting out of a car, take a look around to make sure that you are not being followed.
If you think you are being followed, call for help, and run to safety. Draw as much attention to yourself if possible, by enlisting the aid of a passerby, flag down a car, or pull a fire alarm.
When walking at night, look up and look around, do not wear ear buds in both ears playing loud music, and walk as quickly as possible.

Balance. The key to success

January 24, 2014 Leave a comment

The Spring semester is now (or soon) underway. This is the perfect time to get a fresh start if things did not go the way you hoped during the Fall semester. This is also a good time to get more involved and add to your resume. Being successful in college will require involvement in and out of the classroom. It is important to find a balance while in school. One cannot be consumed with just the rigors of coursework, but one must also tap into their interest, develop their leadership skills, and strengthen their social skills. Getting involved is essential to the college experience.

If you were unsuccessful last semester at getting involved, make an effort to join an organization this semester. Many organizations engage in Spring recruitment and are actively seeking new members. Look for flyers and posters on campus promoting organization fairs and other outlets to get involved. If your school does not offer a fair or if you have missed the fair, you should consider researching the university’s student activities website. The website should offer you a list of all active organizations on campus and provide contact information. Simply state your interest in the group and inquire about future meetings and events.

Spring semester is a good time to get your feet wet, with student ran organizations, but it is also a good time to prepare for the next school year. Spring is where leaders are selected for the next school year. This is a good time to decide how you would like to bring change to the university, how you would like to leave your mark, and how to shape your experience. Student government is a great way to make an impact on the campus, academic organizations are a great way to make an impact on the department, and special interest groups are a great way to impact your individual interest. All options serve as a great way to improve your college experience, leadership skills, and ability to balance commitments.

Of course you can be successful in college without being involved in organizations and of course being too involved can cause you to not be successful. The key to optimizing the college experience is to find balance within your weekly routine. All class and no play does not help you develop life skills that will be needed in future social and professional settings, while all play does not help develop you academically; finding balance is the key.