Self-Improvement Month kicked off Sept. 1! Working on yourself is the best way to improve your academic and personal life, and what better time to do it than during a month dedicated to the task? With classes back in session, here are five tips I have found that helped me work on myself and get through the tough semesters. Â
Meditate at Hendricks Chapel
Meditation is a mind and body practice used to reduce stress levels which helps contribute to less anxiety in our bodies. It can help generate kindness, reduce addiction and increase self-control. If you think working meditation into your day-to-day schedule would benefit you, offers weekly meditation sessions with Chaplain Cooke.
Start Journaling
Journaling helps us prioritize our fears, strengths, problems and accomplishments. Journaling can also help us process our emotions and figure out what to do next. Start writing every morning at the same time, make time for it and allow yourself to be vulnerable.
Having a journal I like to write in makes me more inclined to write every day. If you want to shop for a journal in person, the has loads of different journals you can pick from.
Daily journaling is also a great way to improve your writing and lets you take risks in what you write. Let it all out! Nobody else will see it!
Utilize the University’s Wellness Portal
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ offers a variety of services to its students, one being the . This Portal gives us access to fitness programs, intramural sports, club sports, , safety classes, a virtual pharmacy and more at the , the hub for all things related to student wellness. The Barnes Center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Moving our bodies is a great way to improve our physical health. If spending time at the gym isn’t your speed, there are plenty of other ways to get some exercise, such as or planning an ice skating date with friends at the !
Master Time Management
Time management is one of the most difficult things for me to juggle. I have learned over the years that if I manage my time more efficiently, there is less stress in my life. Take time this month to make a plan of everything you need to accomplish. Prioritize what needs to be done first, and make this Number One on your to-do list. Set goals for yourself: what do you want to accomplish by the end of the day? Once you finish a task, reward yourself by taking a break. (15-minute breaks are the most useful for me, but do what works for you!)
Whenever I feel totally overwhelmed with schoolwork, I make an appointment with the or seek out to get targeted assistance on what I’m working on! is also a great resource for academic support services such as tutoring or
Managing your time is the best way to improve your grades and reduce stress levels, and it leads to more success in your life!
Read Daily
During the semester I find myself scrolling aimlessly through my phone whenever I have a break. To combat the mindless scrolling and lower my daily screen time, I have challenged myself to read for at least 30 minutes a day. There are so many benefits to reading daily! Reading helps relieve stress, expands vocabulary and improves concentration. Reading is also an easy, positive habit to create! Set a reading goal for yourself like not going to bed until you’ve read 10 pages, or set a timer and read until the timer goes off.
for you is the most important aspect of reading. Pick something that stands out to you or applies to your life. If you don’t like a book, don’t force yourself to finish it; it’s okay to just pick up a new one. When I’m in need of some new books, I love browsing the shelves at Barnes and Noble (one is just 15 minutes away from campus!) or visiting Parthenon Books downtown. Walking around a bookstore is a great way to discover a new genre of books or just decompress!
I hope these tips were helpful! Embrace self-improvement, not just this month, but throughout the entire year. Be vulnerable with yourself and be open to new things, new people and new challenges!Â
Written By Tessa Hodinger G’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications