Opinion: Self-care in college is up to you

By Claire Convis
Staff Writer

The schedule of a college student can be busier than Best Buy on Black Friday. Between discussion boards, work and a social life, there’s a lot to juggle. Oftentimes, our own self-care gets tossed to the wayside.

As the chaos of final exams and the holiday season draws near, it’s especially important to prioritize your self-care. Maybe that means a face mask, a five-minute meditation session, a solid meal or even just a nap. Self-care can look different for everyone.

I know it’s hard to remember, but try to make it a habit to take healthy snacks with you to school, like applesauce pouches, raisins, energy bars, veggies or string cheese. This will give you energy throughout the day, and also help you avoid headaches and hunger pains.

Commit to bringing a water bottle to class. I know the struggle of staying hydrated; sometimes I think the only reason I take my water bottle to school is to give it some time out of the apartment, but hey, baby steps.

Meal-prep is your friend. Take 30 minutes on a Sunday night to cook whatever you want for your upcoming week, so you won’t have to live off of chips from the vending machine all week. And your meal prep doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect organic goat cheese and home-grown kale. Keeping simple, ready-made meals on hand is a good way to still eat healthy when you’re in a hurry.

Another vital aspect of self-care is catching those Zs. In a 2019 TED Talk called “Sleep is Your Superpower,” sleep scientist Matt Walker discusses how getting sufficient sleep keeps your immune system intact, reduces stress and can help you focus on homework.

Also, don’t forget to make time for social bonds and hobbies that you enjoy! A creative outlet provides another form of identity, so that a college student doesn’t just feel like a college student all the time, but also a dancer, or a hiker, a yogi, a D&D player, or a makeup enthusiast, an athlete, or a chess champion.

In an article from the American Psychological Association, Dr. Nabil Hassan El-Ghoroury said that staying in touch with friends and maintaining social bonds is an important part of practicing self-care. He recommended monitoring the symptoms of stress in your life and asking for help if  you become overwhelmed. According to El-Ghoroury, regular exercise is key, too—and not just walking from one class to the next.

There is some stigma that practicing self-care is “selfish,” but if you don’t take care of yourself, how will you be able to take care of anyone else? Don’t run yourself into the ground until you’re burnt out.

Sneak some time away from your day to open Spotify, take a walk around your neighborhood, journal, read for pleasure, have a dance party, sing that Disney song you used to love, diffuse essential oils or whatever else brings you joy and relaxation—it’s up to you. Your self-care in college is up to you.

If you are feeling depressed or anxious, please tell someone. You don’t have to go through a struggle by yourself. Free counseling is available to WCC students who need someone to talk to.

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