Remember when the sun was hitting your face and you were complaining that you were sweating in places that you didn't know existed?
Well, no need to fret, that has either come to an end or is slowly coming to an end, for the year. The downside is, we'll be spending our next few months in classrooms that are either too cold or still too hot.
=) Yay.
Here are some essential tips to kick off the school year, even if you're oh-so neutral about going back. I could understand some resentment, to be honest, but nonetheless, education will get you further and schools these days offer quite a few streams these days for whatever you're pursuing. I believe in ya, but I know sometimes it will be hard, enjoy what you can!
Eat.
QUICK IDEAS FOR BREAKFAST
• yogurt, whole grain cereal/granola, fruit, tea/juice.
• vegetable omelet/scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, tea/juice.
• tomato, avocado, cheese, whole wheat toast, tea/juice.
• *Make it portable* cereal, milk, fruit.
• oatmeal with sliced apples/peaches/fruit of choice, cinnamon, and chia seeds.
• cheese, fruit, pumpkin seeds/seed of your choice, tea/juice/fruit smoothie.
^ PREP FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY TIME; DO IT FOR YOUR SANITY.
Coffee, tea, water, juice -- they are all your friends but they are not a meal, even if you're on the go. It's wise to plan some meals on your down time, by yourself or even with likeminded eaters (maybe your friends who are also vegetarian/your friends who eat lean meat for protein), and make it weekly so that you know what you're eating that week; snacks, breakfasts, lunches and maybe even dinner if you have to do it by yourself.
Benefits of Food N Learning.
1. Eating promotes habits for positive school results
This means you'll be on task more often, better test results, quality of reading becomes better, and your improved insides may push you to want to go to class more, who knows?
2. Improved idea of your learning facility
Malnutrition changes your behaviour, and that snickers, those fuzzy peaches, and chocolate milk you've been having for lunch, are not pushing your brain to motor, friend.
You need proper protein, carbs, and fibers (lean/vegetarian/vegan, find your niche). This will cause less interruptions and fidgeting in class.
3. Improved food consumption increases brain power
Some of us have iron deficiency and this decrease our dopamine levels, dimming our understanding of things.
Being deficient in other vitamins, like thiamine, vitamin E, vitamin B, iodine, and zinc, also blurs our concentration.
Food For Brain Power
Green, mean, leafy vegetables
Fish and it's omegas
Berries
Nuts
Apples
Hummus
Avocado
Plan.
Successful Planning
What's your mission?
What are the goals of your mission?
What are your strategies to achieving these goals?
Any objectives? Get some.
Evaluate.
Give yourself constructive criticism and improve for next time.
I see you sitting there NOT wondering what your next step should be, rewatching that Netflix series, acting like you have nothing to do. I'm not saying to stop but while the series is playing in the background, "Hi👋🏽 ", get a notebook from the dollar store and plan your week/month.
It's important that you know what you're always getting yourself into, don't surprise yourself. If you know you have work on Monday and Friday, and you have to be there for 2 PM right after class, pack for that, have your clothes ready, make sure you're getting where you need to be with reliability and ease.
When you set high expectations for yourself you ensure that you're aiming for personal excellence, is that bad? No.
When you include yourself in your plans, you can never be led in the wrong direction, this will help you to progress in equity.
When you're inspired you're likely to be a little bit more successful and when you're hopeful, your confidence grows in decision making.
Partake and engage in your planing; don't just write it up because it looks pretty, use it.
When you plan, you build a calmer mind and this promotes healthier learning and balance in your life.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Organize.
Ways to be Organized
Get and set an alarm clock so you're not going over time.
If you have bills, pay your bills on time.
No BULKY binders, please. Keep it minimal, reserve your back.
File everything away -- exam season, right?
Make a stash of your supplies for when you need it.
Organize your ride, if you drive clean, you can throw your backpack in the backseat.
Keep and toss. If you're a shopper during the school year, you'll need space.
Know your daily routine.
Create a lunch/snack space for lunch essentials.
Drink water when you're busy studying, it'll keep you balanced.
Have a place for your shoes, jacket and backpack.
Have a homework area.
Do you know what you're having for dinner?
Know your outfits for the week.
Go to bed on time.
“A company is a group organized to create a product or service, and it is only as good as its people and how excited they are about creating. I do want to recognize a ton of super-talented people. I just happen to be the face of the companies. ”
Hygiene.
Clean Hygiene Checklist
Teeth? Eat food that will leave a smell? Pack a toothbrush.
Floss daily.
Wash your feet, cotton socks, allow your feet to breathe.
Keep up with your dentist.
Wash your bedsheets, pillow cases, stuffies, regularly.
HAND SANITIZER.
Tissues because you can't bring your mom's purse to class, you're older now.
If you're sick, don't spread it around, we don't need to be sick with you. Wait until you're ready to go back to class and get notes from a classmate. xoxo gossip girl (lol)
Cut your nails, wash your hands, get the little goo from underneath your nails.
Scrub behind your ears, there's a smell there too, check.
Scrape your tongue.
Exfoliate.
Wash your tush, often.
Change the towels weekly, if not daily.
Your belly button, it has a smell too.
Have a personal intimate wash, you shouldn't use regular soap in that area.
Wash your hands after using the toilet, please.
Clean your boogers, there's bats in the cave.
Wash your combs and brushes (hair and makeup, too.)
Clean your ears, there's a candle growing in there.
Don't pick at your pimples, they'll spread.
Shave your pits or keep them groomed.
Remember, we all have our own smell and that's okay but you maybe shouldn't carry your smell past the front door if there's little flies following you, a green hue is coming from behind you and your scent has a flavour; get freshened up.
Make sure you shower/bath at least 1 to 2 times daily. Not only is it probably better for your body but it's better for those around you, too.
Your teeth deserve some love, too. Mint, cinnamon, bubblegum, all of these flavours and more, exist. Nothing is better than a confident smile that smells great when you use mouthwash, floss, scrub your tongue - give yourself the works, you deserve it.
If you sweat, there is no need to be embarrassed, you're supposed to or else the glands wouldn't be there. Understand that if you're sweating, 46% of the people around you are probably sweating too.
PROTIP: pack baby wipes and deodorant in your bag, if you're an expert level sweater; I promise you'll be the sweetest smelling person walking around.
If you're into the gym and you love fitness but your feet stink like blue cheese after some hard work, you need to wash your feet more often. You don't want fungus because you decided that you wanted to grow mushrooms through the cracks of your toes, nope. Dry them well too, especially if you're a public shower type, it'll save you the trip to the doctor for warts and other foot matters.
Not everyone can wash their hair daily but make sure you at least do it a few times, monthly. When you sleep, all of that grease, gel, pomade, will make you breakout on your forehead and cheeks. It gets on your pillow, the dirt will start to add up, you just don't need that, darling.
Sleep.
“Tired minds don’t plan well. Sleep first, plan later.”
You're not a computer, you're a human being and when you don't sleep, your body suffers.
If you can help it, and you're not working late hours in the evening after class, try and go to bed early, you're not missing anything when you stay up late; there isn't a party happening without you. Try 10 PM or 11 PM for a new bed time if that's not it, already.
Staying Up Means...
Poor performance during the day
Weight gain
High blood pressure
Promoted/enhanced insomnia
Sources: Sleep Foundation.org; Sleep.org
College students are the biggest percentage of the sleep-deprived.
Brown University admits that only 11% of students have good sleep habits and 73% have difficulty sleeping.
18% of college men and 30% of college women suffer from insomnia.
Sleep deprivation is linked to lower GPAs.
The average young person sleeps less than seven hours.
No sleep interferes with work or social functioning.
A lot of people are affected by chronic sleep loss or sleep disorders.
Know Your Limits.
What's Pain Access?
Reality check, if you haven't even hit your mid 20s, understand that you brain hasn't fully developed. This is damaging to your health, your mental process and social interaction.
This is for people of age; if you know your tolerance level for substances is relatively high, that's great but there's a time and place for everything. There's no need to get wasted between school hours, wait for the weekend and reward yourself. You owe it to yourself to have a somewhat clear mind in order to function.
If you're new to college/uni, maybe Monday Night $1 Beer just isn't for you, especially if you can't make it home after the bar and you have a class at 10 AM.
Recognize substance abuse and realize that if your leisure activities are interfering with your studies that maybe you should take a break or find some support.
1 drink, 2 drink, 3 drink, 4, you don't know if the word is no anymore. "Hi👋🏽 ", it's time to drink some water before you make a poor choice that you'll regret.
Burned Out?
You don't have to go to every party, it's okay to say no.
Slow down, take your time.
Get back to your organized state.
Take a walk, exercise.
Know what a clean mind feels like.
Supplies.
Please DO NOT show up on the first day without your supplies. If you know you're going to need paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, a backpack, you had weeks to prepare and pick that up. It's one thing if you have broken pencils or ink-less pens sometimes, but to consistently go to a place, knowing that you'll probably have to write something down and asking classmates everyday to "borrow" their learning utensils is shady, ma.
When technology fails and the power goes out, you'll know how great it feels to have a backup, even if it feels old school. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to others in the class to be ill prepared.
“For me, it’s always been about preparation, and the more prepared I can be each week, the less pressure I feel and the more confident I am. As your confidence grows, it’s only natural that the pressure you feel diminishes.”
Dollarama will become your best friend, trust me >
Here's proof that you can go to the dollar store and get ALL of your school supplies for under 20$ if you're on a budget and you want to save for other important things.
PROTIP: When you preserve your supplies, you won't have to keep buying more and more. Keep all your excess supplies together.
Focus.
Distracted?
Self-Evaluate.
Do I have the time to joke around?
Do I give up now on what I'm hearing?
Is there pressure to disconnect?
Will I be upset with myself if I mess around with my focus?
Is this self - manipulated?
Tips on Focusing In Class
Remove all distractions, if you know sitting in the back behind chatty Casey, JoJo and RayRay is going to prohibit you from paying attention, move up.
Our friends are in our class but sometimes sitting with them throws off our learning stream; sit where it's beneficial, they'll understand.
We may need our phones, but no matter how bored you feel, unless you ABSOLUTELY NEED IT, put it face down at the top of your desk, no vibration.
Be alert and let your teacher know you're alert.
Take some notes, apply yourself.
6. Speak up and get clarification.
7. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
8. If there's one piece of advice I can offer, we're not all born to sit still for hours on end but do your best. Limit yourself to 2 bathroom breaks instead of 4 or 5 in one class sitting.
9. Put on your blinders if you have to.
DeClutter.
Shop in your closet before you shop retail
Throw out old receipts that mean nothing
Multitask while you clean put on some music and go awf
Clean periodically, don't do it for one day, do it for many days
Put some pep in your step, there's garbage on the floor, there's old plastic bags laying around, your suitcase from the holidays has been sitting out since you got home 3+ weeks ago and you should probably vacuum. If you know you have too much stuff, THROW IT OUT, never feel attached to material possessions. Purge, it helps the order of your home and it helps you to avoid chaos.
Sort into catagories
Push everything to the centre and pick what's trash
Give things away that hold no value to you
Recycle as much paper as you can
SaveUp, SpendWise.
Budgeting For Students 101
It's okay to buy used items
Don't let the food you buy eat up your shmoney
Create a budget plan, that may help you
Skip using your credit too often. If you're not ballin' to pay it back with ease, don't spend like a shot caller.
Look for discounts
Sell some of your goods if they no longer serve their purpose to you
Keep tabs on your finances
Who do you keep lending money to? Stahp, bruh.
Keep Positive.
Understand why you're in the classes you are, if they don't benefit you, maybe you should find classes that do or change your major
Cultivate a positive lifestyle, there's no expiration date to starting new
Don't let anything or anyone hold you back from doing what's right for YOU
Make some friends who make you feel great and respect you
Learn about yourself and how to handle things on your own
Don't isolate yourself
Don't get overwhelmed by a sense of freedom, keep your head on straight
Remember why you're there
Prioritize.
Rely on your values in the process of prioritizing. Knowing what you value mosT helps you prioritize your tasks.
"Hi👋🏽 ", the reason you go to school, is not only to learn, it's to graduate. if you do the work, put effort into it and hand it in on time, you'll probably get a decent mark. It sounds too good to be true but getting it done properly and early, so you can enjoy your spare time is equally as liberating.
Priorities VS Procrastination
You can procrastinate to prioritize
The non-prioritization leads to procrastination
Failing to prioritize leads to procrastinating
Make sure you're clear, you decide what's very important and what's not.
Lower the voice in your mind and trust your intuition. Listen to your sensitive and intuitive sides. You'll focus on what you want and not on what you FEEL you have to do.
Meditate, this will help your mission and goals.
Make Memories, Make Moments Count.
Final Thoughts to Remember
There's a 'last time' when it comes to having the time of your life, make every moment count.
Doing things that matter today so it will benefit you in the future.
Time flies but the value of it doesn't, so value your time with a good heart.
Be apart of everything you can, don't put yourself in your own bubble.
It's okay to be silly and laugh at yourself, you're not a robot.
When you talk about others, learn to say good things even if you can't stand them.
Smile.
Put that thang down, flip it and reverse it.
Until next time, stay strong and know that on this earth, you belong. - JoyX
