Taking Care of You!

As the weather gets colder and midterms start approaching more rapidly, I thought I would talk about something every college student struggles with: self-care. Whether it’s your mental or physical health, putting time aside for yourself is really important in college. Here are some small ways you can take care of yourself if you’re struggling during this busy time!

1. Resting During Sickness

It’s that time of the year. It seems like everyone is getting a horrible cold. Even though pushing through might seem like the best idea, taking time for an extra nap or rest can make a world of a difference. Plus, the Student Health and Counseling Center offers a lot of health services to students. If you’re not getting better or need some cold medication, you should stop by! (Read more specific tips on Colin’s blog here!)

2. Doing Work On Time

I usually like doing work as early as I can so that it doesn’t all pile up at the end. While that’s definitely easier said than done, sometimes even just doing one assignment earlier can lighten the load. You can also do work in places where you focus best, even if everyone tells you that you shouldn’t work from your bed (I say as long as the work is getting done, you should work wherever works for you!)

Gould Library is also a really popular place to do work!

3. Taking Breaks

Especially with midterms it can feel hard to step away from schoolwork and make time for friends or extracurriculars. I’ve noticed that one activity a day can completely recharge my battery and make studying that much easier. My favorite way is watching a TV show with a friend at night when I would already be winding down. Instead of doing that alone, I get to catch up with a friend in a fun way!

4. Connect with Nature

Everyone talks about how much they love the arb, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, I truly don’t think there’s anything that compares to a walk in Carleton’s Arboretum. Whether you’re looking for a short paved trail or a longer hike, you can go to either the upper or lower arb and find exactly what you’re looking for. I like to walk alone to clear my head or with friends to catch up! I know some people listen to true crime podcasts but I’m too scared to do that…

5. Call home

I love my friends here, but sometimes you just need to talk to your family or see your pets. A great way to destress is to call home and catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while. You can talk about what you’re learning in your classes or just ask to see your animals (which is definitely not what I do…). Even though texting is a great way to keep in touch day-to-day, I don’t think anything compares to talking with people over the phone!  

There are definitely spaces where you can rest your mind or body here at Carleton, you just have to find what works for you! These are what have served me well for two years, but I’m sure there are so many other places and activities you will discover that will help you de-stress. 

Kate (she/her) is a junior History  and Theater double major from the Bay Area, California. She loves Carleton’s artsy community, and is involved in the Vocal Studies Program and occasionally the Experimental Theater Board when her fight choreography skills are in high demand. Kate’s favorite places on campus are the practice rooms, either in Myers or the Weitz, where she can sing or play the ukulele. She loves the campus during all the seasons but thinks nothing could compare to the beautiful colors of Northfield in the fall. When not in class, you can find Kate either petting the nearest cat or forcing her friends to watch bad movies in a study room.