Self-Care on a Student Budget, Part 2: Practical Ways to Make Life in College Better Self

1. Go for a Walk.

Sometimes the simplest advice is the best, and going for a walk is no exception. Scheduling regular walks into your day where possible is an effective way to add multiple forms of self-care to your day through one activity — it will provide you with a study break, respite from the blue light of your computer screen, and the opportunity to take in some fresh air and the beauty of the natural world.

2. Eliminate Morning Decisions.

Make mornings easier on yourself by eliminating the need to make any decisions early in the day. Before you head to sleep, pack your backpack with everything you'll need for class, set out the clothes you'll wear, get out the vitamins you'll take with breakfast, and write down a rough outline of the first few tasks you want to do. By taking a few minutes each night to make your mornings easy, you'll reduce decision fatigue and complete your morning routine on autopilot, allowing you to devote your energy and creativity to more important tasks later.

3. Learn to Knit or Crochet.

In an increasingly digital world, it's sometimes hard to see the impact of your work. However, taking up a hobby like knitting or crochet, which uses your hands to create something tangible, can help to ground you in reality and bring a sense of achievement and impact to your day. There are many online communities of knit and crochet artists, who create free tutorials for interesting projects, give advice for picking up new skills, and sell starting kits for newcomers who are eager to join the fun but don't yet have supplies. You may also find students on your campus who you can develop friendships with through shared interest in these hobbies, allowing you to foster community and connection alongside a creative project. If you're not sold on either knit or crochet, try another hobby that will allow you to work with your hands, such as model building, painting, sewing, sculpting, or woodcarving!

4. Schedule Study Breaks.

Although it can be tempting to push yourself to study for as long as possible every day to prove you're a dedicated student, you should resist the impulse — it's a recipe for burnout. To prioritize your mental and physical health, make sure you schedule regular breaks into every study session. Wherever possible, use your study breaks to implement other small acts of self-care, such as stretching, taking a quick walk, grabbing a snack, hydrating, or calling a friend! By scheduling intentional breaks into the calendar, students can proactively take care of themselves, reduce their overall stress and the risk of burnout, and make even the busiest semester more manageable.

5. Stretch Your Eyes.

It's easy to forget how much strain our eyes undergo while working on screens all day, especially during exam season or when working on long papers. To prevent eye strain and headaches, stretch your eyes regularly through easy exercises like looking at something 20 feet away for 10 seconds, looking something 2 feet away for 10 seconds, and repeating that cycle for a minute. Be sure to also occasionally look away from your screen and just spend a few moments blinking to rehydrate dry eyes. Consider a blue light filter as well.

6. Do a Digital Detox.

If your screen time is higher than you'd like it to be or you feel like you don't have any free time, consider scheduling a day for a digital detox — a time to ignore your phone and allow yourself time to appreciate the world in front of you. After a digital detox, some people realize that they don't actually know how to relax and are merely in a habit of scrolling to shut down their thoughts for a while. This realization motivates them to figure out what is truly relaxing and restful, allowing them to critically evaluate their relationship with self-care and make time for the activities they truly value. In addition, some people find the experience so restful that they decide to set up "quiet hours" where they mute all notifications. Others decide to delete social media entirely to preserve the peace they experienced by unplugging. While your experience may not look the same as theirs, you'll find a digital detox worth your time because it will provide an easy opportunity to evaluate your relationship with time management, rest, and social media.

7. Open Your Curtains Each Morning.

Opening your curtains and taking a few moments to appreciate the sunlight and the world outside your dorm is an easy way to add a sense of calm, mindfulness, and gratitude to your morning routine. Plus, seeing the sunlight will dispel drowsiness and help you to wake up more quickly!

8. Join a Gym or Exercise Group.

If you want to add more movement to your list of self-care strategies, ask about the opportunities available on your campus; there are many low-cost or even free ways to prioritize fitness as a student. For example, you might consider joining a group of classmates who meet a few times a week to practice yoga or play a team sport, either of which would be a great way to add both movement and community to your life. If you prefer a solo approach to fitness, many campuses have athletic centers where students can work out for free. Gyms in college towns might offer reduced membership fees for students — don't be afraid to ask what discounts your student ID can get you!

9. Revamp Your Space.

If there isn't enough space for you to study in your dorm room, if clutter is beginning to pile up despite storage options, or if the layout of your furniture makes time at home stressful rather than restful — it's time to revamp your living space for the sake of your mental health. Take care of yourself by giving your dorm a refresh, and invest in a goal such as tidiness or restfulness as you move forward. Try moving your furniture around, donating items you no longer need to free up some space, or buying a few small items that will improve your organization or make your dorm room more relaxing. To keep this tip budget-friendly, try trading décor with other students or thrifting specific items you've intentionally chosen ahead of time, rather than heading into a store hoping to find inspiration when you get there.

10. Buy a Plant.

Having a plant in your living space improves mental health and boosts your mood — plus, it's an inexpensive way to add some life and color to your dorm room! Pick something small and easy to care for if you haven't cared for many plants before, such as a small cactus or an air plant. Be sure to place it in an area of your dorm that has enough light for that species, and set a reminder on your phone to water it at regular intervals.

11. Get Intentional about Caffeine.

Unfortunately, the stereotype about college kids being coffee addicts is true for some students. If you find yourself constantly cycling between exhaustion and espresso, try switching to decaf or herbal teas for a bit while analyzing how much caffeine you've been drinking. Ask yourself whether that amount benefits your health and is aligned with your goals, and, if the answer is no, try shifting towards a healthier amount. Even if you have a good relationship with caffeine, there's still a positive shift you can take — wait for at least an hour after waking before you drink coffee, so that your body has time to shake off the effects of sleep and process the cortisol produced first thing in the morning. This shift will reduce the fatigue you feel later in the day and can help prevent caffeine crashes!

12. Begin Tracking Your Expenses.

While it can be easy to leave things like budgeting and expense tracking to your post-graduation self, adopting the habit now has several advantages. For example, it will allow you to make informed financial decisions while still studying and will also put you ahead of the curve after graduation. Having peace of mind about your finances is easiest if you know where your money is going, so make financial self-care part of your routine by beginning to track your expenses now.