Combating College Student Fatigue

Sleep more. Party less. OK, you dorm nuts, I know you want to embrace the entire college experience in a big way, but you must sacrifice your social life for a bit if you want to succeed in the classroom and avoid getting sick. Fatigue plagues most college students. Staying up late, waking early, playing sports, hitting the gym and trying to reach your academic goals can seem like a daunting task, but if you show some discipline you can have fun and feel good.
Let’s face it; even the most athletic, or fit person reaches a point where they cannot bounce back. You are living in a body which needs rest. Knowing this, intend to grab about 6 to 8 hour’s worth of sleep each night. Take naps during the day. Do whatever you need to do in order to rest your body and your mind, and if that means cutting back a little bit with your part time job, or scaling back on your social schedule, then do it.
If you actually feel well rested and enjoy your college experience you will excel academically. You will reach your goals inside and outside of the classroom and you will have fun on the trip too. You also will not experience the long term side effects that plague many hard party types years after attending classes, because your daily and hourly habits now effect who you become many years down the road.
Enjoy the ride. Rest up. Feel good about what you do and excel.

Eat Right

Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet helps you overcome exhaustion and defeat fatigue. Each a high energy diet based on lean proteins, leafy greens and fruits. Factor in complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and whole wheat bread to supply yourself with critical sources of energy.
Go to the store and stop eating at the local pizza shop every day. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables and prepare your own food to develop healthy eating habits. I know, I know, it seems like a drag, but you will thank yourself now, and 10 years down the road when you are lean and fit and your buddies’ freshman 15 turns into a freshman 50!

Get Enough Sleep

As noted, aim for at least 6 hours or more each night. Invest in ear plugs and a mask if you are living with or by a particularly rowdy crew. Also take naps during the day to energize yourself. Nothing is more important than you feeling well-rested.

Breathe Deeply and Slowly

This one might sound silly but try it. You will be stunned at how well it works. Breathe slowly and deeply. Go ahead, do it now. What happens is this: your thoughts and feelings follow your breathing. By breathing slowly and deeply you immediately slow down your thoughts and feelings and relax.
You no longer push, strain and strive to reach certain goals. You are calm, at peace, and relaxed, and your body takes on this vibe. You also tap into internal guidance, and get the rest you need to receive in order to recover.

Cut It Out

OK, maybe you will not cut out partying entirely, because it is fun to let go once in a while. But you need to cut out the partying 7 days each week bit as this can have detrimental short and long term effects. Your body can only handle so much. Head one 1 to 2 nights weekly. Control yourself. No need to drink too much and act like a fool. Party responsibly, rest up and enjoy your college experience.
Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who blogs on all things education from the environmental program at Vermont Law to how to pick your major.
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