Health & Well-Being
Take Care of Yourself While You're Taking Care of Everything Else
College can bring new opportunities, responsibilities, relationships, schedules, and pressures.
Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being can help you manage those demands and get more from your college experience.
You don't have to handle everything on your own. Learn what resources are available and reach out when you need support.
Make Sleep a Priority
Classes, studying, work, activities, and social life can make sleep easy to sacrifice.
Build a schedule that gives you regular opportunities for enough rest and pay attention when your routine is leaving you consistently exhausted.
Sleep supports concentration, learning, mood, and overall health—making it an important part of academic success, too.
Manage Stress
Some stress is a normal part of managing new challenges, but ongoing stress can affect your health and ability to function.
When your schedule feels overwhelming:
- Identify what's creating the most pressure.
- Break large responsibilities into smaller steps.
- Use a calendar or planning system.
- Build in time for rest and activities you enjoy.
- Consider whether you need to reduce a commitment.
- Talk with someone you trust.
- Use campus resources when you need additional support.
If stress is interfering with your daily life, academics, relationships, sleep, or ability to cope, consider connecting with a counselor, healthcare professional, or other qualified resource.
Eat Regularly & Stay Active
Busy schedules can make basic routines surprisingly difficult.
Try to make regular meals, hydration, and physical activity part of your schedule.
Physical activity doesn't have to mean a formal workout. Walking, recreational activities, intramural sports, fitness classes, and other forms of movement can all be options.
Look for routines you can realistically maintain.
Use Campus Health & Counseling Resources
Learn what your college provides.
Resources may include:
- Student health services
- Counseling or mental health services
- Wellness programs
- Health education
- Accessibility services
- Peer support
- Crisis resources
Find out where these services are located, how appointments work, what services are included in student fees or insurance, and where to go outside normal business hours.
Make Informed Decisions About Alcohol & Other Substances
College students may encounter situations involving alcohol or other substances.
Understand campus policies and applicable laws, consider how your choices could affect your health and safety, and avoid situations that put you or someone else at risk.
If substance use is affecting your health, relationships, academics, finances, or daily life, seek support through appropriate campus or community resources.
Pay Attention to Your Well-Being
Sometimes the most important step is recognizing that something isn't working.
If you're struggling physically or emotionally, don't wait until the situation becomes a crisis.
Talk with someone and find the appropriate support.
Taking care of yourself isn't separate from succeeding in college. It's part of it.
