Lifestyles of the Healthy
Set a healthy schedule for your college career
How you treat your body will determine how well it performs. To avoid having a physical and/or mental meltdown the night before your final, take time to give your body all the right things. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you study longer and more efficiently, keep you in good spirits, and provide you with the energy to party like a rock star—well, like the kind of rock star who also keeps up an excellent academic record. Here are some tips to help you stay at your best.Get Your Zs
College students are the most sleep deprived demographic in the United States. According to CBS News, college students average just six to seven hours of sleep a night when research suggests that students perform at their academic best on nine hours. To make sure you don't sleep past class, on the way to class, or in the middle of class, plan out a sleep schedule that incorporates no less than eight hours of rest per night. Scheduling classes according to your natural sleep pattern can also help keep you more alert. If you're a night owl, try to register for courses held later in the day. Finally, establish "quiet hours" with your roommate in order to help you stick with your sleep schedule.
Get Your Kicks
Most colleges have a gym or athletic center that's free for students now; there's no reason not to use it. Cardiovascular exercise (for a minimum of 30 minutes, four times a week) will not only have you looking great, but feeling that way as well. Regular exercise will relieve stress, tone the body, give you a better night's sleep, and mentally prepare you for the next task ahead. To begin, start incorporating exercise into your daily life. Instead of taking the bus to class, walk, ride your bike, or jog with a friend. Making exercise a part of your normal routine will ensure that you'll stick with it.
Get Your Breaks
Last, but not least, take a break for once! Students who study (or party) too much typically burn out before the semester is over. Taking some quiet time for you is just as important as eating well or exercising regularly. Sleep hard, work hard, and then take a few minutes just to chill out. Your body (and grades) will thank you.
Christina Couch is a freelance writer based in Richmond, Virginia. She is the author of Virginia's Complete College Resource (Palari Publishing, 2007). Her byline can also be found on Aol.com, Msn.com, Yahoo! Finance, and the Christian Science Monitor. She can be contacted at couchcs@gmail.com.
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