Prioritising your wellbeing and studies

Hello my healthy kings and queens,

university life is wild. One minute you’re vibing in a club, the next you’re knee-deep in lecture slides and overdue readings. Between juggling classes, social life, and trying not to live on instant noodles, staying healthy and productive can feel impossible. 

But surprisingly it’s doable, I mean, I AM alive sooo - Here’s how I (try to) keep it together.

 1. Fuel your body (Without going broke)

You don’t need a personal chef or a crazy budget to eat better. I aim for simple and balanced meals: carbs, protein, and veggies. Think:

Toast + peanut butter or eggs for breakfast - easy.

Simple pasta and a side salad (could litro just be cucumber) for dinner. I try to do bolognese cuz it’s the yummiest and easiest in my opinion - done.

Protein bars (life-savers during 8 a.m. classes) - too easy guys.

Hydration is key too. I used to forget to drink but nowadays, I always carry a water bottle everywhere. Coffee’s great, but it’s not really good for your health now is it.

2. Move a little every day

I don’t hit the gym for two hours daily (who has time?), but I walk to class, do YouTube yoga or even workout routines, or stretch while watching Netflix.

Even a 10-minute break walk between study sessions clears my head and boosts energy. Obviously that’s not all the walk I do, I try and walk 10k steps a day - if you don’t have time for that, completely fine, just try to do some workouts at home at least!

3. Prioritise mental health!!!

Being healthy isn’t just physical. Your mental well-being matters just as much or maybe more.

I’ve learned to:

- Say no when I’m overwhelmed.

- Use the university’s support (they’re part of what you paid for, so use it!)

- Take actual breaks without guilt - just because you need to rest doesn’t mean you did nothing at all and even if, who cares.

- Talk to friends when I’m feeling off - communication is key yall!

Try journaling or meditating. Even 5 minutes can shift your mindset. I usually write in my diary if it’s something I don’t want to talk about or I don’t want an answer but just vent.

4. Plan like a pro (but be realistic)

Productivity doesn’t mean filling every second with work. It’s about working smart.

What helps me:

- Using a physical calendar and writing everything down.

- Setting 1–3 priorities per day.

- Study/write projects in chunks, not marathons.

- Doing the hardest task first and leaving easiest for last. This helps me focus on the biggest part while I still have the motivation to.

Also: rest is productive. I’ve written better reports after a nap than during a caffeine crash. Being tired just makes you delusional and write random things - at least that’s how it is with me because I feel like as long as I write something it’s okay, lol.

5. Sleep is not optional

I used to brag about pulling all-nighters. Now I brag about getting 8 hours.

Sleep affects your memory, mood, and focus. I started treating it like an important class - no skipping.

Tips:

- Wind down with music, reading, or stretching. Especially reading, read the most boring book you can find and you’ll be sleepy in a bit.

- Create a sleep schedule (yes, even on weekends), your body will naturally want to sleep if you do it regularly around the same time.

You don’t need to do everything perfectly. The goal is progress, not perfection. Start small - maybe one healthier meal a day, a 5-minute stretch, or blocking off a study hour with no distractions.